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TZt 

Book ^ ^ <0*7 5^ 


rmjyiigiit N” 1-i <5r" 


COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 






Mystery Stories for Boys 


Lost in the Air 






Copyright, 1920 
by 

The Reilly & Lee Co. 


All Rights Reserved 


Made in U. S. A. 


CONTENTS 


CHAPTER PAGE 

I Who Is the Major? 9 

II The Strange Landing 33 

III In the Midst of the Pack 58 

IV A Modern Battle with Criminals 78 

V An Infernal Machine 97 

VI The Race Is On 116 

VII A Strange People 125 

VIII The Walrus Hunt 138 

IX Fighting Their Way Out 156 

X To THE Treasure City 170 

XI A Battle Beneath the Arctic 

Moon 181 

XII The Russian Tiger 196 

XIII Bruce AND the Bear 204 

XIV Bombed’’ 218 

XV The Mystery Cavern 231 

XVI Wrecked 242 

XVII '' So This Is the Pole ” 256 




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LOST IN THE AIR 

CHAPTER I 

WHO IS THE MAJOR? 

Let’s get a breath of fresh air.” Bruce Man- 
ning yawned and stretched, then slid off his high 
stool at the bookkeeping desk. Barney Menter 
followed his example. 

They had been together only a few days, these 
two, but already they were pals. This was not 
to be wondered at, for both had been discharged 
recently from army aviation service — Bruce in 
Canada and Barney in the United States. Each 
had served his country well. Now they were 
employed in the work of developing the wilds of 
Northern Canada near Hudson Bay. And there 
are no regions more romantic than this with all 
its half-gleaned history and its million secrets 
of wonder, wealth and beauty. 

9 


10 


Lost in the Air 


As they stood in the doorway, gazing at the 
forest-lined river and distant bluffs, hearing the 
clang of steel on steel, as construction work 
went forward, catching the roar of cataracts in 
Nelson River, and tingling with the keen air of 
the northern summer, life seemed a new crea- 
tion, so different was it from the days of war. 

''What's this?" Bruce was looking at a file 
containing bills-of-lading, a messenger had 
handed him. 

" Car 564963, C. P. R., consigned to Major A. 
Bronson. Airplane and supplies." He read it 
aloud and whistled. Barney jumped to snatch 
it from him. 

" Stand back ! Give me air," Bruce gasped. 
" An airplane at the present end of the Hudson 
Bay Railroad! What's doing now? What are 
they up to? Going to quit construction here and 
use planes the rest of the way? Fancy freight- 
ing wheat, fish, furs and whale blubber by air- 
planes I " Both lads laughed at the idea. 

" I don't wish his pilot any bad luck," said 
Barney. " But if he must die by breaking his 


11 


Who Is the Major? 

neck, or something, I hope he does it before he 
reaches the Hudson Bay terminus. Fd like to 
take his place in that big air-bird. Say, wouldn’t 
it be glorious ! ” 

'' You’ve stolen my thunder,” replied Bruce, 
laughing. ‘‘ I’m taking that job myself.” 

Tell you what! I’ll fight you for it. What 
weapons do you choose? Rope-handed spiking 
hammers or pick-axes?” 

‘‘ Let’s go down and see if it’s here. Like as 
not it’s a machine neither of us would risk his 
neck in; some old junk-pile the government’s 
sold to the chap for a hundred and fifty or so.” 

That this idea was not taken seriously by 
either was shown by the double-quick at which 
they went down the line, and over the half-laid 
tracks to where the accommodation train was 
standing. 

Thorough inspection of car numbers con- 
vinced them that No. 564963 C. P. R. had not 
arrived. 

Oh, well 1 Perhaps to-morrow she’ll be in. 
Then we’ll see what we see,” yawned Bruce, as 


12 


Lost in the Air 


he turned back toward the roughly-built log 
shack where work awaited them. 

What’s that? ” Bruce, who was in the lead, 
stopped before the trunk of a scraggly spruce 
tree. On its barkless trunk a sheet of white 
paper had been tacked. The two boys read it 
eagerly : 

NOTICE! 

To Trappers, Hunters, Campers 
and Prospectors. 

$500 
Reward 
Will be paid 

To any person locating any- 
where within the bounds of the 
Canadian Northlands at any point 
North of 55° North, a wireless sta- 
tion, operated without license or 
permit. 

The notice, signed by the provincial authori- 
ties, was enough to quicken their keen minds. 

''What do you suppose they want to know 
that for? ” asked Barney. " The war’s over.” 


13 


- Who Is the Major? 

Perhaps further intrigue by our former 
enemy. Perhaps smugglers. Perhaps — well, do 
your own perhapsing. But say ! ’’ Bruce 
exclaimed, wouldn’t it be great to take packs, 
rifles and mosquito-bar netting and go hunting 
that fellow in that Northern wilderness?” 

Great sport, all right,” grinned Barney. 

But you’d have about as much chance of find- 
ing him as you would of locating German U 
boat M. 71 by walking the bottom of the At- 
lantic.” 

That’s true, all right,” said Bruce thought- 
fully. ‘‘But just think of that wilderness! 
Lakes no white man has seen; rivers no canoe 
has traveled; mountain tops no human ever 
looked from! Say! I’ve lived in Canada all my 
life and up to now I’ve been content to let that 
wilderness just be wild. But the war came and 
I guess it shook me out of myself. Now that 
wilderness calls to me, and, the first chance that 
offers. I’m going to turn explorer. The wire- 
less station offers an excuse, don’t you see?” 

Barney grinned. He was a hard-headed, prac- 


14 


Lost in the Air 


tical Yankee boy; the kind who count the cost 
and appraise the possible results. 

'' If you are talking of hunting, fishing, and 
a general good time in the woods, then I’m with 
you; but if you are talking of a search for that 
wireless, then, I say, give me some speedier way 
of travel than tramping. Give me — ” he hesi- 
tated, then he blurted out : Give me an air- 
plane.” 

The boys stared at one another as if they had 
discovered a state secret. Then Bruce voiced 
their thoughts: 

'' Do you suppose this Major What-you-may- 
call-him is bringing up his plane for some com- 
mission like that ? ” 

I don’t know,” said Barney. But if he is,” 
he said the words slowly, '' if he is, then all I’ve 
got to say is, that it’s mighty important; some- 
thing affecting the government.” 

'' I believe you’re right about that,” said 
Bruce, but what it is I haven’t the least shadow 
of a notion. And what complicates it still more 
is, the Major comes from down in the States.” 


Who Is the Major? 


15 


'' Maybe it’s something international,” sug- 
gested Barney. 

‘"Yes,” grinned Bruce, suddenly awaking 
from these wild speculations, ‘‘and maybe he’s 
just some sort of bloomin’ sport coming up here 
to take moving pictures of caribou herds, or to 
shoot white whale in Hudson Bay! Guess we 
better get back to work.” 

Ye’ll pardon an old man’s foolish ques- 
tions?” 

Both boys turned at the words. An old man 
with bent shoulders, sunken chest and trem- 
bling hand stood beside them. There was an 
eager, questioning look in his kindly eyes, as he 
said in quaint Scotch accent: 

'' Ye’ll noo be goin’ to the woods a’ soon? ” 

'' I don’t know,” said Bruce, in a friendly tone. 
He was puzzled by the old man’s question, hav- 
ing recognized him as a second cook for the 
steel-laying gang. 

Per if ye be,” continued the man, “ ye’s be 
keepin’ a lookout fer Timmie noo, wouldn’t ye 
though? ” 


16 


Lost in the Air 


''Who’s Timmie?” asked Bruce. 

"Timmie? Hae ye never hearn o’ Timmie? 
Timmie; the boy it was, seventeen he was then. 
But ’twas twelve years ago it was, lad. He’d 
be a man noo. I sent him fer the bag wi’ the 
pay-roll in it, an’ he never coom back. It was 
the money thet done it, fer mind ye. I’m tellin’ 
ye, he was jest a boy, seventeen. He went away 
to the woods wi’ it, and then was shamed to coom 
back, I know. So if ye’ll be goin’ to the woods 
ye’ll be watchin’ noo, won’t ye?” 

" Was he your boy? ” 

" No, not mine. But ’twas I was to blame ; 
sendin’ him fer th’ pay; an’ him so young. Five 
thousand seven hundred and twenty-four dollars 
it was, of the logging company’s money; a 
month’s pay fer the men. An’ if ye see him tell 
him I was all to blame. Tell him to coom back; 
the Province’ll fergive him.” 

" And the company? ” asked Bruce. 

" Partners both dead. Died poor. No. 
’Twasn’t the loss of thet money. They had many 
losses. Contractin’s a fearfu’ uncertain busi- 


Who Is the Major 9 17 

ness; fearfu’ uncertain/’ The old man shook 
his head slowly. 

Any heirs? ” asked Bruce. 

Heirs? To the partners? Yes, one. A girl, 
noo. Ye’ll be kenin’ the lass thet helps in the 
boardin’ shack where you and the bosses eat?” 

La Vaune? ” grinned Barney, poking Bruce 
in the ribs. Do you know her? ” La Vaune, 
the little black-eyed French Canadian, had taken 
quite a liking to her handsome young fellow- 
countryman, Bruce. 

‘‘ Well, noo,” said the old Scotchman. Thet’s 
the lass noo. An’ should you find the money noo, 
it will all be hers. An’ ye’ll be lookin’ fer it noo, 
won’t ye? Many’s the time I took a wee snack 
and a blanket an’ made a wee pack an’ gone into 
the woods to find him. But I hae never seen 
track o’ him. He’ll nae be by Lake Athapapuks- 
kow, fer there’s folks there; not by Lake Wes- 
kusko neither, fer I been there, but som’ers in 
the woods Timmie is, an’ if he’s dead his shack’ll 
be there an’ the money, fer he never coom out o’ 
th’ woods again, thet shamed he was.” 


18 


Lost in the Air 


The boys promised to keep an eye out for 
Timmie, if ever they went into the unknown 
wilderness, and left the old man with a new hope 
shining in his eyes. 

For a long time after reaching the office the 
boys worked in silence. At last Barney straight- 
ened his tired shoulders and glanced at Bruce. 
He was in a brown study. 

‘'What’s on your mind, Bruce?” he asked. 
“ That money? ” 

“Thinking what it would do for La Vaune; 
five thousand seven hundred and twenty-four 
dollars.” Bruce rolled the words out slowly. 
Though they said no more about it, the old man’s 
story was the inspiration of many a wild plan. 
The truth is, it was destined to play an important 
part in shaping their future. 

“ He’s here ! She’s — it’s here ! ” 

Bruce burst into the office all excitement and 
half out of breath. 

“Who’s he, she, it?” grinned Barney, slip- 
ping his pen behind his ear. 


Who Is the Major? 19 

‘^The Major and the airplane! And the 
plane’s a hummer ! ” 

It was Barney’s turn to get excited now. He 
jumped from his stool so suddenly that his pen 
went clattering. 

Let’s have a look at her.” He grabbed his 
cap and dashed out, Bruce at his heels. 

Some Greek freight handlers were unloading 
the car when they reached the track. The work 
was being done under the direction of a rather 
tall man, erect and dignified. He, the boys felt 
sure, was the Major. His face bore some pecul- 
iar scars, not deep but wide, and as he walked 
he limped slightly. 

Might be he’s lost some toes,” muttered Bar- 
ney. Had a cousin who limped that way.” 

The machine’s a Handley-Page bombing 
plane, made over for some purpose or other,” 
said Bruce, with a keen eye for every detail. 

That’s the plane that would have bombed Ber- 
lin if the war had lasted long enough. They’re 
carrying mail from Paris to Rome in ’em now. 
Those machines carried four engines and devel- 


20 Lost m the Air 

oped a thousand horse-power. This one is a 
lighter model and carries two engines. One's 
a Rolls-Royce and one a Liberty motor. The 
fellow that planned the Major's trip for him has 
selected his equipment well. They don't make 
them any better." 

'' Just look at the sweep of the planes," ex- 
claimed Barney. They were made for high 
altitude work — up where the air's thin. No one 
would be coming up here for a high altitude test, 
would he ? " 

Surely not ; there's no particular advantage 
at this point for that." 

The boys watched the unloading with eager 
and experienced eyes. As Barney put it, '' Makes 
me feel like some shipwrecked gob on a desert 
island when he sees a launch coming ashore." 

Yes," grinned Bruce, and soon you'll be 
feeling like your gob would when the launch 
came about and put out to sea again. No chance 
for you on that boat, Barney." 

Guess you're right," groaned Barney. Lit- 
tle enough we'll have to do with that bird." 


21 


Who Is the Major? 

As he spoke several of the men recklessly 
jerked a plane to free it from its wrappings. The 
Major, his back to them, was superintending the 
unloading of the Liberty motor. 

Hey, you ! Go easy there ! ” Barney sprang 
forward impulsively and showed the workmen 
how to handle the plane. When the job was 
done he stepped back with an apologetic air. 
The Major had turned and was watching him. 

'' You seem to understand such matters,’’ he 
smiled. 

I’ve worked with them a bit,” said Barney. 

Would you mind letting me know where 
you are located?” asked the Major. ‘‘My 
aviator and mechanic have disappointed me so 
far. You might be of some assistance to me.” 

“ We’re over at the bookkeeping shack — the 
office of the construction company,” said Bar- 
ney, red with embarrassment. “ He — that is, 
my bunkie here, knows more about those boats 
than I do. Say, if we can be any help to you, 
we’ll jump at the chance. Won’t we, Bruce?” 

“ Surest thing,” grinned Bruce, as they turned 


22 Lost in the Air 

regretfully toward the dull office and duller 
work. 

'' Say, you don’t suppose,” exclaimed Barney 
that night at supper — '' you remember those 
awful wide planes of the Major’s? You don’t 
suppose he’s starting for — ” Barney hesitated. 

You don’t mean? — ” Bruce hesitated in 
turn. 

Sure ! The Pole ; you don’t suppose he’d 
try it?” 

Of course not,” exclaimed Bruce, the con- 
servative. Who ever thought of going to the 
Pole in a plane through Canada ? ” 

Bartlett’s got a plan of going to the Pole in 
a plane.” 

'' But he’s going from Greenland,” said Brucc. 
'' That’s different.” 

‘‘Why 

“ Steamboat. Farthest point of land north 
and everything.” 

“ That’s just it,” exclaimed Barney dis- 
gustedly. “ Steamboat and everything. You’re 
not a real explorer unless some society backs 


Who Is the Major? 


23 


you up with somebody’s money to the tune of 
fifty thousand or so; till you’ve got together a 
group of scholars and seamen for the voyage. 
Then the proper thing to do is to get caught in 
the ice, you are all but lost. But — the ice 
clears at the crucial moment, you push on and 
on for two years; you live on seal meat and 
whale blubber. Half your seamen get scurvy 
and die ; your dogs go mad ; your Eskimos prove 
treacherous, you shoot one or more. You take 
long sled journeys, you freeze, you starve, you 
erect cairns at your farthest point north, or west, 
or whatever it is. Then, if you’re lucky, you lose 
your ship in an ice-jam and walk home, ragged 
and emaciated. A man that does it that way 
gets publicity; writes a book, gets to be some- 
body. 

'' You see,” he went on, '' we’ve sort of got 
in the way of thinking that it takes a big ex- 
pedition to do exploring. But, after all, what 
good does a big expedition do? Peary didn’t 
need one. He landed at the Pole with two 
Eskimos and a negro. Vv^ell, now it ought to be 


24 


Lost in the Air 


easy as nothing for two or three men in a plane, 
like that one of the Major's, to go to the Pole 
from here. There's a fort and trading post on 
Great Bear Lake with, maybe, a power-boat and 
gasoline. Then, if there happened to be a 
whaler, or something, to give you a second lift, 
why there you are ! " 

'' Sounds pretty good," admitted Bruce. '' But 
nobody would ever attempt it." 

Of course not," retorted Barney. “ It’s too 
simple." 

The two following days the boys found them- 
selves taking morning and evening walks down 
the track to the airplane, which still lay piled in 
sections by the track. They were surprised to 
see that no effort was being made to assemble it. 
The reason for the delay was made clear to 
them by an unexpected encounter on the evening 
of the second day. 

Finding the Major pacing up and down be- 
fore the machine, his slight limp aggravated by 
his very evident irritation, they were about to 
pass as if they didn’t know there was a plane 


25 


Who Is the Major? 

within a hundred miles, when they were halted 
by the upraised hand of the Major. 

Immediately both boys clicked heels and 
saluted. Then they felt foolish for saluting^ in 
civies.'’ 

'' I see you are military all right,'' smiled the 
Major. But how much do you really know 
about airplanes ? " 

Oh," said Barney, with exaggerated indif- 
ference, Bruce, here, knows a little and I know 
a little, too. Between us we might be able to 
assemble your machine, if that's what you 
want." In spite of his heroic attempts at self- 
control, his voice betrayed his eagerness. Truth 
was, his fingers itched for pliers and wrenches. 

That's part of what I want, but not all," the 
Major said briskly. “ I am not an aviator my- 
self, and my man has failed me at the last 
moment; had a trifling smash which resulted in 
a dislocated thigh. Out of service for the sea- 
son. I need an aviator and a good one. He says 
there's only one other not attached to military 
units that he could recommend — a Canadian. 


26 


Lost in the Air 


But the plague of it is, the man can’t be located.” 

Might I ask the nature of your proposed 
trip?” asked Bruce — then bit his lip a second 
too late. 

You might not.” The Major snapped out 
the words. Then in a kindlier tone, My secret 
is not entirely my own. I can say, however, that 
it is not an exceedingly long trip, nor a danger- 
ous one, as aviation goes, but it is an important 
one, and besides, if it comes out well, and I be- 
lieve it will, I might wish to go on a more 
hazardous journey. In that case, of course, you 
can see I should wish a veteran pilot at the 
wheel and one who will take a chance.” 

He turned to Bruce. You are a Canadian, 
are you not ? ” 

^^Yes, sir.” 

Then perhaps you can tell m.e of the where- 
abouts of this young Canadian aviator. His 
name is — ” the Major stopped to think. His 
name is — ah! I have it! It’s Manning — 
Bruce Manning.” 

Bruce’s jaw dropped in astonishment. He 


Who Is the Major? 


27 


was too surprised to speak. It was Barney who, 
almost shouting in his excitement, said: 

He’s Bruce Manning, Major.” 

What? ” The Major stood back and looked 
at Bruce. ‘'You? Oh come; you are hardly 
more than a boy ! ” 

“ Yes,” said Barney, “ he’s hardly more than 
a boy, but some of the best flyers the Allies had 
were hardly more than boys. They were boys 
when they went into it over there, but the boys 
who went up after the Germans two or three 
times came down men, Major. Don’t forget 
that.” 

“You’re right — and I beg your pardon,” 
said the Major, bowing to them. “ I spoke 
thoughtlessly. So then I have the good fortune 
to be speaking to the very man I seek? ” he 
went on, turning to Bruce. “ Now I suppose the 
remaining questions are: Will you be at liberty 
to take up aviation again and — do you want 
to?” 

“ That,” said Bruce, struggling to keep his 
voice steady, “ will depend upon at least one 


28 


Lost in the Air 


thing: If you will answer one question now, we 
will promise you a definite answer to-morrow 
morning at seven o’clock/’ 

The question? ” 

My friend here, Barney Menter, is quite 
as skilled an aviator as I am. If I go, he goes. 
What there is in it in pay or peril we will share 
equally.” 

Barney stepped forward to protest, but Bruce 
held him back and continued: ‘^Your machine 
is equipped for two men besides yourself. Will 
you take us both ? ” 

Most certainly,” said the Major heartily. 
'' In case you decide to accompany me, I shall 
wire the mechanic not to come and you two may 
divide the work between you as you may see 
fit. 

“ I might say,” he added, that the pay will 
be double that which you are now receiving, and 
the journey will consume the remainder of the 
season. Should we decide on something more 
hazardous, the pay will be in proportion, and 
there is, besides, a substantial, I might even say 


29 


Who Is the Major'? 

a rich reward offered, for the successful com- 
pletion of this latter task. However, enough of 
that for the present. You can give me your de- 
cision in the morning, and I hope you accept.” 
He bowed and strode away. 

Now, why didn’t you say ‘ Yes ’ on the 
spot?” demanded Barney, impatiently. ‘‘We 
are required to give only a week’s notice to the 
company and the nights and mornings of that 
week we can use getting the machine together 
and taking a trial flight.” 

“ I always sleep over a thing,” answered 
Bruce. “ It’s a habit I inherited from my 
father.” Long after, in quite different cir- 
cumstances, Barney was to remember this re- 
mark, and bless Bruce’s inheritance. 

Mail had been delivered during their absence. 
Barney found a letter on his desk. He puzzled 
over the postmark, which was from some Pacific 
port. He tore the envelope open, glanced at the 
letter, then read it with sudden eagerness. 

“ Bruce,” he exclaimed, “ listen to this. It’s 
from an old pal of mine, David Tower; entered 


30 Lost in the Air 

the navy same time I did the army/’ And he 
read aloud: 

Dear Barney : Fm off for somewhere 
far North; guess not the Pole, but pretty 
well up that way. Second officer on a U. S. 
Sub. She’s loaned to a queer old chap they 
call Doctor. No particulars yet. Hope this 
finds you ^ up in the air,’ as per usual. 

Dave.” 

‘‘ That is a coincidence,” said Bruce. '' Per- 
haps we’ll meet him up there somewhere among 
the icebergs.” 

I’ll suggest it ! ” exclaimed Barney, reaching 
for his pen. 

‘‘ Dear Dave,” he wrote. “ Am thinking 
of a little trip North myself. Our ship’s a 
500 HP Handley-Page. Bring your guitar 
and oboe along. My partner and I are 
bringing saxophone and mandolin. We’ll 
have a little jazz. Till we meet, as ever, 
Barney.” 

If the boy had known under what strange 
conditions this particular jazz performance 


Who Is the Major? 


31 


would be ^iven, he might have felt queer sensa- 
tions creeping up his spinal column. 

I say ! ” exclaimed Bruce suddenly, who's 
this Major chap, anyway? Fve a notion he’s 
something rather big, maybe the biggest — ” 

‘‘ You don’t mean? — " 

'' I’m not saying anything,” protested Bruce, 
but this other man I’m thinking of left a toe 
or two in the Arctic, and his face has freeze 
scars on it. His name’s — well, you know it 
as well as I do.” 

Shucks ! It couldn’t be,” exclaimed Barney. 
‘‘ He wouldn’t be up here alone this way.” 

‘‘ No, I guess not,” sighed Bruce. But it 
would be great sport if it were he, after all.” 

Ten days later, a girl in her late teens stood 
shading her eyes watching a tiny object against 
the sky. It might have been a hawk, but it was 
not; it was an airplane — the Handley-Page, 
with the two young pilots and the Major on 
board. The girl was La Vaune. She stood 
there watching till the plane had dwindled to a 
dot, and the dot had disappeared. Holding her 


32 


Lost in the Air 


apron to her eyes to hide her tears, she walked 
blindly into the house. 

The adventurers were well on their way. 


CHAPTER II 


THE STRANGE LANDING 

I don’t like the way the Rolls-Royce is act- 
ing,” Bruce grumbled through his telephone to 
Barney, for, though they were not four feet 
apart, not a word could they hear, so great was 
the din of their two powerful engines. 

Same here,” answered Barney. Old Major 
ought to have given us more time to try ’em out. 
Brand new.” 

Barren Lands far away. Forced to land in 
tree-tops. Good-night ! ” 

After that there came only the monotonous 
roar of the engines. The Major’s orders had 
been Due north by west,” and now, though 
they had put fully two hundred miles between 
themselves and the last sign of civilization, they 
were still holding to their course. They also had 
been directed to fly as low as was safe. Three 


33 


34 


Lost in the Air 


times the Major had barked an order into the 
receiver; always to circle some spot, while he 
swept the earth with a binocular as powerful 
as could be used in an airplane. Three times 
he had given a second order to resume their 
course. 

'' He seems to be looking for something,” 
Barney said to himself, and at once he began 
wondering what it could be. Mines of fabulous 
wealth were said to be hidden away in the hills 
and forests over which they were passing — rich 
outcroppings of gold, silver and copper. Per- 
haps the Major was trying to locate them from 
the air. Here and there they passed over broad 
stretches of prairie, the grass of which would 
feed numberless herds of cattle. Perhaps, too, 
the Major was examining these with an eye to 
future gain. Then, again Barney thought of the 
illegal wireless station and he idly speculated on 
how it could be so important now that the war 
was over. There was little to do but think as 
they scudded away, now racing a cloud, then 
plunging through the masses of vapor, to re- 


The Strange Landing 35 

appear suddenly in the sunshine beyond. Barney 
had always keenly enjoyed watching the land 
slip by beneath him as he flew, but on this jour- 
ney there was the added joy of sailing over lands 
unknown. His reflections were suddenly cut 
short by a strange jarring rattle from the Rolls- 
Royce. Instantly the thunder was cut in half, 
as also was their power. Bruce had stopped the 
big motor. If now something went wrong with 
the Liberty, they must make a forced landing. 
This, with the level stretches of prairie giving 
place to rough, rolling swells covered with scrub 
timber, was not a pleasant thing to think of and 
even less pleasant to attempt. 

The sun, sending a last yellow glow across the 
land, sank from sight, and soon the moon, with 
silvery light and black bands of shadow, was 
playing strange tricks with the stolid world 
beneath them. 

All day, when duties permitted, Bruce had 
kept an eye open for a cabin hidden among the 
pines. Now he shouted through the telephone to 
Barney ; 


36 


Lost in the Air 


'' What'll 1 do if I catch a square of light 
below ? " 

Barney knew he was thinking of the boy, 
Timmie, and La Vaune's money he carried into 
the woods. A square of light, of course, would 
have been a cabin window. 

“ Kill your engine if you see a chance to light, 
and explain later," he shouted back. 

But no square of light appeared, and soon the 
thought of it was driven from their minds, for, 
of a sudden, the plane shuddered like a man with 
a chill. It was the second engine. Bruce threw 
off the power. Then, with a sput-sput-sput, 
started it again. Once more came the shudder. 
Again he tried with no better results. Half its 
power was gone ; something was seriously wrong. 
He turned to the other engine. It would not 
start at all. Here was trouble. ‘ They were pass- 
ing over ridge after ridge, and all were roughly 
timbered. Surely, here was no landing-place. 
And if the second engine stopped altogether, 
— Bruce's heart lost a beat at thought of it. 

He gave the engine more gas and headed the 


37 


' The Strmge Landing 

plane upward. She climbed slowly, sluggishly, 
like a tired bird, but at length the keener air told 
him they were a safer distance above the earth. 

‘‘ Better chance to pick a landing-place from 
here,” thought Barney. 

They had scarcely reached this higher level 
when the engine stopped. No efforts of the pilot 
availed to start it. His companions silently 
watched Bruce’s mute struggles. The Major, 
a perfect sport, sat stoically in his place. Barney, 
knowing that suggestions were useless, also was 
silent. So they volplaned slowly downward, 
every eye strained for a safe landing-place. 
They knew what a crash would mean at such a 
place. Loss of life perhaps ; a wrecked plane at 
least, then a struggle through the woods till 
starvation ended it. They were four hundred 
miles from the last trace of white man’s habita- 
tion. 

They had come down to three thousand feet 
when it became evident that only rough ridges 
lay beneath them. No landing-place here, cer- 
tainly. They could only hang on as long as 


38 


Lost in the Air 


possible in the hope the ridges would give way 
to level ground. Bruce thanked their luck for 
the wide-spreading wings which would impede 
their fall. 

A moment later he groaned, for just ahead of 
them he saw a rocky ridge higher than any they 
had passed over. Here then was the end, he 
thought. But the tricky moonlight had deceived 
him. They cleared those rocks by a hundred 
feet and just beyond Bruce gasped and looked 
again. 

''A miracle!” murmured Barney. 

Or a mirage,” whispered Bruce. 

Before them lay a square of level land, green, 
— in the moonlight. All about the square the 
land was black with trees, but there was a land- 
ing place. It was as if their trip had been long 
planned, their coming anticipated, and that a 
level field was cleared for them. 

It was only a matter of moments till they 
were bumping along over the ground. Soon they 
were standing free from their harnesses and 
silently shaking hands. 


39 


The Strange Landing 

Barney was the first to speak. 

Say, do you know,’' he said, we’re in some- 
body’s wheat-field!” 

''Impossible!” exclaimed the Major. 

" See for yourself,” The boy held before 
their astonished eyes a handful of almost ripened 
heads of wheat. 

"Then what’s happened?” demanded the 
Major. " Have you gone due south by west 
instead of north by west?” 

" Unless my compass lied, and it has never 
done so before, we have gone north by west since 
we started, and we are — or ought to be at this 
moment — four hundred miles from what the 
white man calls civilization.” 

" Well,” said the Major, " since we are here, 
wherever that is, I suggest that we unpack our 
blankets and get out of the man’s wheat-field, 
whoever he may be. The mystery will keep 
until morning.” 

This they proceeded to do. 

A clump of stubby, heavy-stemmed spruce 
trees offered them shelter from the chill night 


40 Lost in the Air 

wind, and there, rolled in blankets, they prepared 
to sleep. 

But Bruce could not sleep. Driving a plane 
through clouds, mist and sunshine for hours had 
made every nerve alert. And the strain of that 
last sagging slide through the air was not to be 
relieved instantly. So he lay there in his 
blankets, a tumult of ideas in his mind. This 
wheat-field now ? Had he really been misdirected 
by the compass on the plane? To prove that he 
had not, he drew from his pocket a small com- 
pass, and placing it in a spot of moonlight, took 
the relative direction of the last ridge over which 
they had passed and the plane in the wheat-field. 
He was right ; the compass had been true. They 
were four hundred miles northwest of the last 
mile of track laid on the Hudson Bay Railroad, 
deep in a wilderness, over which they had trav- 
eled for hours without sighting a single sign of 
white man’s habitation. Yet, here they were at 
the edge of a wheat-field. 

What was the answer? Had some Indian 
tribe taken to farming? With the forests alive 


41 


The Strange Landing 

with game, the streams with fish, this seemed 
impossible. Of a sudden, the boy started. It 
was, of course — 

The sudden snapping of a twig in the under- 
brush brought his mind back with a jerk to their 
present plight. He wished they had brought the 
rifles from the plane. Some animal was lurking 
there in the shadows. Wolves, grizzlies, some 
unknown terror, perhaps? 

Then, in another second his eyes bulged. In an 
open space, between two spruce trees, where the 
moon shone brightly, had appeared for a moment 
a patch of white. Then, amid the crashing of 
small twigs, the thing was gone. In childhood, 
Bruce had been told many stories of ghosts and 
goblins by his Irish nurse. He had never over- 
come his dread of them. But it was with the 
utmost difficulty that he suppressed a shout. 
Then he laughed softly, for the crackling tyvigs 
told him he had seen a creature of flesh land 
blood, no ghost. He chuckled again and fair in 
the dark a hoot-owl seemed to answer him and 
his company was a source of comfort. | 


42 


Lost in the Air 


Yet, here was, after all, another problem: 
What was this white-coated creature? Of all 
the wild things of the forest, none was white save 
the Arctic wolf. It was doubtful if he roamed 
so far south, especially in summer, and besides, 
this creature was too large and heavy to be a 
wolf. Bruce thought of all the animals he knew 
and gave it up. It might have been a cow. 
Cows in this wilderness did not seem more 
improbable than a wheat-field, but the creature 
had been too light of tread for that. Could it 
have been an Indian dressed in white, tanned 
deerskin? He was inclined to take this for the 
right solution, and wondered if he should 
awaken his companions. He could not tell what 
danger threatened. Finally he decided to let 
them sleep. He would keep watch. The three of 
them could do no more. 

Once more his mind turned to the problem of 
the wheat. What was it that he had just con- 
cluded? Oh, yes, Timmie! Why might not 
Timmie have camped here and planted this 
wheat? But twelve years? How had he lived? 


The Strange Landing 43 

Whence had come the seed wheat? There were 
a hundred questions connected with such a solu- 
tion. Ah, well, morning would tell. There 
would be a cabin somewhere on the edge of the 
field and they would eat. Eat? For the first 
time Bruce realized that he had not eaten for 
hours ; was very hungry. Securing some malted- 
milk tablets, carried for emergency rations, he 
dissolved them in his mouth. A wonderfully 
soothing effect they had. Propping' himself 
against the trees, he closed his eyes for a second, 
and before he could pry them open again, he, 
too, was fast asleep. 

When he awoke it was broad daylight and his 
companions were already astir. 

Did you fellows wake up last night?’' he 
asked, rubbing his eyes sleepily. 

Barney and the Major shook their heads. 

"‘Then you didn’t see it?” 

'‘See what?” 

" The white thing.” 

Barney stared. The Major’s face was non- 
committal 


44 


Lost in the Air 

Bruce told them of his experience. 

He’s been seeing a ghost/’ declared Barney, 
with a laugh. 

On the contrary,” said the Major slowly, 

I think he hasn’t. There are white creatures 
in the Arctic; just such ones as he has described. 
I have seen them myself. No, not white bears, 
either. But I have never seen them this far 
South. I will not say now what I think Bruce 
saw but I will say I do not think it was an 
Indian.” 

/Look!” exclaimed Barney suddenly in a 
whisper. 

He pointed to a thin column of smoke that 
was rising over the tree-tops, to the left of the 
%heat-field. 

‘‘ Listen I ” whispered Bruce. Somebody’s 
chopping wood.” The freshening wind brought 
the sound of the axe plainly to their ears. A 
second later they heard the distant laugh of a 
child. 

Come on,” said the Major, throwing his roll 
of blankets at the foot of a tree. Where there’s 




The Strange Landing 


45 


children there's no danger. Maybe they’ll have 
hot-cakes for breakfast ! ” 

A moment later found the three of them steal- 
ing silently through the forest. 

What they saw as they peered into the clearing 
brought them up standing. A man wielded an 
axe before a cabin. He was tall and strong, 
smooth-shaven and clean. No Indian, but a 
white man. His clothing was of white-tanned 
buckskin. The cabin was of logs, but large, with 
a comfortable porch and several windows. The 
panes of the windows seemed near-glass. It was 
impossible to tell, from where they stood, 
whether the two laughing children who played 
by the door were white or half-breeds. The 
appearance at that door of a neatly-dressed 
Indian woman seemed to settle that question. 

The three men had gone half-way across the 
narrow clearing, before the man, looking up 
from his work, saw them. Instantly his face 
blanched. With a quick step backward, he 
reached for a rifle that stood by the door. Then 
the arm fell limp by his side. 


46 


Lost in the Air 

Well, you've come ! " he said in a lifeless 
tone. “ I could have killed you, one or two of 
you, but I won't. I may be a thief, but not a 
murderer. Besides, there are probably more of 
you back there in the trees." 

On the contrary," smiled the Major, we are 
only three. We are not armed. So you see you 
might easily kill us all. But why you should 
want to, and why you expected us, when the last 
thing we thought to do was to land in your 
wheat-field last night, is more than I can guess." 

'^Landed?" The man's face showed his 
bewilderment. 

I know," exclaimed Bruce impulsively, '' I'll 
exolain. You're Timmie — Timmie — " he hesi- 
tated. Well, anyway, that's your first name. 

I know all about you — " 

Again the man's trembling hand half-reached 
for the rifle. 

Then — then you have — come for me," he 
choked. 

Bruce, realizing his mistake, hastened to 
correct it. 


47 


The Strange Landing 

You’re mistaken,” he said quickly. -^'We 
haven’t come for you in the way you mean. 
You won’t need to go a step with us unless that 
is your wish. Timmie, we’re here to help you; to 
tell you that you were forgiven long ago.” 

Is — is that true?” The man faltered. 

The logging company ? ” 

The partners are dead. Their only heir, La 
Vaune, forgives you.” 

‘‘And the Province, the Red Riders?” 

“ The Province forgot the case years ago.” 

“Thank — thank God!” The man choked, 
then turned to hide his face. He faced them 
again in a moment and spoke steadily. “ I’ve got 
the money here in the cabin, every cent of it. 
God knows I didn’t mean to do it. But the 
temptation was too great. And — and once I 
had done it, I was afraid to go back. I would 
have died in prison. How did you come? Are 
you going back? Will you take the money to 
the little girl. La Vaune?” 

“ We’re going farther,” smiled Bruce, happy 
in the realization of what all this meant to the 


48 


Lost m tlfie Air 


maid in the camp. We’re going on. We flew 
here and will fly back — or try to.” ‘‘ And we’ll 
be more than glad to return the money,” he 
wished to add, but remembering that he would 
not have that to decide, he ended, ‘‘ La Vaune is 
no little girl now, but quite a young lady. She 
needs the money, too. And — and,” he laughed 
sheepishly, she’s rather a good friend of mine.” 

Timmie drew his hand across his eyes, as if 
to brush away the vision of long years. Then, 
with a smile, he said briskly: 

''Of course, you’ll have breakfast? We’re 
having hot-cakes.” 

"What did I tell you?” chuckled the Major, 
slapping Barney on the back. 

Eager as the visitors were to hear the strange 
story of this man of the wilderness, they were 
willing that breakfast should come first. 

As they stepped upon the porch, the keen eye 
of the Major fell on some white and spotted 
skins hanging over a beam. A close observer 
might have noticed a slight nod of his head, as if 
he said, "I thought so.” But the boys were 


The Strange Landing 49 

following the scent of browning griddle-cakes 
and saw neither the skins nor the Major’s nod. 

But Barney, missing a familiar pungent odor 
that should go with such a breakfast in a wil- 
derness, hurried back to the plane to return with 
a coffee pot and a sack of coffee. 

Within the cabin they found everything 
scrupulously clean. Strange cooking utensils of 
copper and stone caught their eye, while the 
translucent window-panes puzzled them. But 
all this was forgotten when they sat down to a 
polished table of white wood, and attacked a 
towering stack of cakes which vied with cups of 
coffee in sending a column of steam toward the 
rafters. 

With memories stirred by draughts of long 
untasted coffee, it was not difficult for Timmie to 
tell his story. 

When I left the settlement,” he began, as he 
turned his mooseskin, hammock-like chair 
toward the open fireplace, and invited his guests 
to do likewise, '' I struck straight into the wilder- 
ness. I had a little food, a small rifle and fish- 


50 


Lost in the Air 


ing-tackle. To me a summer in the woods with 
such equipment was no problem at all. I meant 
to go northwest for, perhaps, two hundred miles, 
camp there for the summer, then work my way 
back by going southwest. I would then be far 
from my crime and would be safe. That is what 
I meant to do. But once in the silent woods, I 
began to think of the wrong I had done. I would 
have given worlds to be back. But it was too 
late. I had to keep going. Fording rivers, 
creeping through underbrush, climbing ridges, 
crossing swampy beaver-meadows, fighting the 
awful swarms of mosquitoes, I got through the 
summier, living on fish, game and berries. You 
see, I had become terribly afraid of the Red 
Riders — the mounted police. I had heard that 
sooner or later they always got a man. I was 
determined they would not get me. 

At last, snow-fall warned me to prepare for 
winter. I was in this valley that day, and Fve 
been here ever since. If I had ever got any 
pleasure from that stolen money, which I 
haven't, I would have paid for that pleasure a 


/ 


The Strange Landing 51 

hundred times that first winter. Fortune fa- 
vored me in one thing: the caribou came by in 
great droves, and, before my ammunition was 
exhausted, I had secured plenty of meat. But at 
that, I came near dying before I learned that 
one who lives upon a strictly meat diet must 
measure carefully the proportions of lean and 
fat. Someway, I learned. And somehow, starv- 
ing, freezing, half-mad of lonesomeness, I got 
through the winter, but I am glad you did not 
see me when the first wild geese came north. If 
ever there was a wild man, dressed in skins and 
dancing in the sun, it was I.” 

“ But the wheat? ’’ asked Barney. ‘‘ How did 
that happen? ’’ 

I am coming to that,” smiled his host. 

Early that spring,” he continued, passing his 
hand across his forehead, as if to brush away 
the memory of that terrible winter, ‘‘ the Indians 
came. They came from the Dismal Lake region. 
Driven south by forest fires, they were starving. 
I had a little caribou meat and shared it with 
them; that made them my everlasting friends.” 


52 


Lost in the Air 


And you got the wheat from them? inter- 
posed Barney. 

Hardly. I doubt if they had ever seen a 
grain of wheat. 

Well, we lived together that summer. But I 
am getting ahead of my story. Shortly before 
they arrived, I noticed some strange-looking 
caribou in the clearing. I had no ammunition, so 
could not shoot them. Anyway, they were skin- 
poor and would be of little use to me. But they 
seemed strangely tame, coming close to my cabin 
at night. They were company, and I was careful 
not to frighten them away. One night, in the 
moonlight, I caught a glistening flash from the 
ear of the oldest doe. Then, too, I noticed that 
one of them had unnaturally short antlers. A 
closer look told me that these antlers had been 
cut oif. 

Then came the wonderful discovery : these 
were not caribou, but reindeer escaped from some 
herd in Alaska. 

Right then I decided to capture and use 
them. I would put them in pound until their 


The Strange Landing 53 

rightful owners came for them, which would be 
never.’’ He smiled. 

Well, I tried making a lasso of caribou skin. 
For a long time I could not come near enough to 
reach them with the lasso. But one night, while 
they rested, I crept up to them and my lasso 
caught one by the antlers. Then there was a 
battle, and all the while I was thinking that 
now I should have milk, butter and cheese, meat 
and clothing. And then there was a snap; the 
skin-rope broke and away went the reindeer — 
and my hopes. 

I then hit on the plan of building a corral 
and driving them into it. This was a pretty big 
job for one man, but with trees lining both sides 
of a narrow run, where the deer went to drink, 
I managed to weave willow branches into the 
spruce trees and make a stout barrier. Well — 
one morning, I found myself with six reindeer in 
pound — a bull, three does, a yearling and an 
old sled-deer. Not long after, the herd was 
increased by four fawns. 

“ By good luck, just at this time, the Indians 


54 


Lost in the Air 


came. They were all for killing the reindeer, but 
I stopped that. We fed, as I said before, on my 
caribou meat, and then came the wild-fowl and 
the streams opened up for fishing. 

It was fortunate that the Indians came. 
They helped me to build corrals, big enough to 
give the reindeer plenty of pasturage and pretty 
soon they were fat and sleek.” 

Pardon me,” interrupted the Major, but 
were some of the reindeer white?” 

Two of them were milk-white. And now I 
have many of them running free in the forest.” 

Barney grinned, and Bruce poked him in the 
ribs. My ghost,” he whispered. 

'' The wheat,” said the host, '' was no great 
mystery, after all. The bank cashier had put 
into the money-sack two samples of wheat and 
one of beans which he wanted to have tried in 
this north country. I have tried them; with 
what luck, you can see. I don’t need to fence 
my reindeer now, for in winter when the moss is 
buried deep under the snow I turn them in on 
stacks of wheat hay. Finally when the Indians 


The Strange Landing 55 

went back North the following winter they left 
me a wife, as you see/’ He smiled toward his 
dusky mate, who was industriously scouring a 
copper griddle. 

There was silence for some time. Then the 
Major spoke: 

The thing that interests me is how you 
manage to keep up your standards of neatness 
and cleanliness.” 

It is not 90 hard,” said Timmie. “ I came of 
a good old Scotch family. When I was a boy 
my mother taught me that ‘ cleanliness is next 
to godliness,’ and I made up my mind that — 
well, that I would at least be clean. That was 
all there was left for me to be, you know.” 

'' I think you may call yourself both,” said the 
Major stoutly. “ You have paid well for your 
mistake by twelve years of exile, and as for the 
money, we’ll take that back with us.” 

Timmie smiled. ‘‘ I’ll be happy for the first 
time in twelve years when it’s gone,” he said. 

'' I say, Major,” exclaimed Bruce, I’ve been 
thinking of those white reindeer. Don’t you 


56 Lost in the Air 

suppose that solves the problem of Peary’s white 
reindeer ? ” 

There was a peculiar twinkle in the Major’s 
eye, as he asked: ‘‘ How do you make that out? ” 
“ Well, there had been reindeer in Alaska for 
twenty-five years when Peary discovered his on 
the eastern coast of our continent. There are 
many white ones among the domestic herds, and 
they are constantly wandering away, or being 
driven away, by packs of wolves. If they wan- 
dered this far, might they not easily have gone 
on to the other side of the continent? ” 

“ Possibly. Possibly.” The twinkle in the 
Major’s eye grew brighter, but he said no more. 
Presently he rose and stepped outside. 

Say ! ” exclaimed Barney, I feel like turn- 
ing right around and going back.” 

Bruce knew that he was thinking of La 
Vaune’s money. “ But we can’t,” he sighed. 
“ It’s not our plane nor our expedition. We’re 
bound by agreement to go on. Besides, there’s 
no real need of going back. La Vaune’s all right 
for the winter. I arranged for her at my old 


The Strange Landing 57 

college at Brandon ; she will attend the academy 
and help in the dining-room.” 

Well, then,” said Barney, '' I guess it's us 
for union-alls and at those engines.” 

They were soon at their task. But, as Bruce 
worked that day, he thought often of the myste- 
rious twinkle he had seen in the Major's gray 
eyes, as he spoke of the white reindeer. Who 
was this Major, anyway? And where were 
they going? The Major alone could tell, and 
apparently he had no intention of doing so. 


CHAPTER III 


IN THE MIDST OF THE PACK 

I think/’ said the Major, on the third morn- 
ing after their strange landing, that we would 
make a great mistake to set out again at this 
time. We are not likely to have the luck of our 
last landing a second time. Then too, if we 
remain here until the lakes and rivers are frozen 
over, we can find a safe landing place every few 
miles. 

And now,” the Major continued, stirring the 
fire thoughtfully, now I think it would be right 
that I tell you something of the purpose of this 
journey.” 

The boys leaned forward, eager for the story. 

Even now,” he said slowly, I do not feel 
like confiding to you what I may consider my 
great secret plans — plans for which this jour- 
ney is but a trial-trip into the frozen North. 


58 


In the Midst oj the Pack 59 

That may follow in good time. But, as for this 
present journey, you are perhaps aware that an 
illegal wireless station has been operating some- 
where in these woods and hills ? 

‘‘Yes — yes; we saw the offer of reward!’’ 
exclaimed Barney. 

“ The reward is a small matter,” smiled the 
Major. “ Should we be so fortunate as to 
capture the culprit, or be able to certify to his 
death, I will gladly turn over the reward to 
you boys.” 

“ Thanks,” said Barney, who already had his 
share of the prize in his purse. 

“ First I shall tell you the purpose of that 
wireless and why it is so important to locate it,” 
the Major went on. “ It is one of the links in a 
chain around the world — a chain that threatens 
to bind civilization to a burning stake of sedition, 
anarchy and bloodshed. The operator is an 
anarchist, or, at least, belongs to an allied organ- 
ization, and these, one and all, have for their 
purpose the destruction of the present order of 
things. Now, there is not one of us but believes 


60 


Lost 'in the Air 


that there are many evils possible — yes, and put 
in operation under the present order, but we do 
not believe that matters are going to be bettered 
by a world-revolution. We believe that in time 
justice will come very much nearer being done 
under the old system ; therefore, we are fighting 
to maintain it. That is why I volunteered to 
attempt to hunt out and if possible destroy this 
powerful wireless station, which is relaying 
revolutionary messages direct from Russia to 
all important points in North America. My long 
experience in the North seemed to fit me for that 
task; and it is a task that I am determined to 
accomplish. 

It is my theory that this wireless is located 
on the shores of Great Bear Lake. In fact, I 
believe it is run by an independent trader operat- 
ing at the east end of that lake, on Conjurer's 
Bay. A year ago he brought in a small electric 
plant, to light his trading post, he said. Now 
this plant is capable of producing an almost 
unlimited amount of electrical power, provided 
only time is given. Batteries of great power 


61 


In the Midst of the Pack 

might easily be produced on the spot. Chemicals 
for producing acids are found in abundance; so 
also are copper and zinc for the plate. All he 
would have to do then would be to make 
wooden boxes for the chemicals, erect his wires 
— he could string them from spruce poles — and 
the thing is done. It was impossible to reach 
the station by water after I had guessed its 
location, and there was of course the possibility 
that I was wrong, that it was nearer civilization. 
In that case I might be able to locate it, provid- 
ing I made the trip by plane.’' 

That explains why we circled three times 
during our first day’s flight? You were look- 
ing—” 

For the wireless tower,” smiled the Major. 

And now,” he went on, '' I think we will 
just rest easy on our wings for a few weeks. 
You will get the engines in shape; take a few 
trial flights, if you wish, but be careful to con- 
serve gasoline. We must have enough to carry 
us to Great Bear Lake. There we will find a 
sufficient supply to carry us on any other jour- 


62 


Lost in the Air 


ney we may decide on. The trader uses gasoline 
to run his electric plant and will have a supply. 
It will not be of very high test, but with two 
engines I think we will make it answer our 
purpose. If we find that my theory regarding 
the location of the tower is not correct, we will 
buy a supply from him, and if it is correct — ” 
He did not finish, but smiled and poked the fire 
again. 

'' Take it all in all,’' said Barney to Bruce 
some time later, I think our trip promises to 
be dangerous enough to satisfy even a blood- 
thirsty young savage from the Canadian army.” 

Or a young Cherokee from the wilds of 
Boston Commons,” laughed Bruce, heaving a 
wrench in the general direction of his companion. 

But, though they went about their work in a 
playful mood, they did it with great care. After 
they had taken the two little Timmies for sev- 
eral rides, they declared the airship quite ready 
for further voyaging. And as for gasoline,” 
said Bruce, we still have two hundred and 
forty gallons in the tank which will give us 


63 


In the Midst of the Pack 

a-plenty for the trip, and several hours to spare; 
but coming back — that's another matter." 

Barney realized that this was, indeed, another 
matter, and, though he shared the Major's hope 
of securing a supply at the trading station, his 
face grew grave at thought of being stranded 
more than a thousand miles from civilization at 
the beginning of winter, and with only a few 
days' supply of provisions. What if this trading 
station was one of those myths that float down 
from the North? Or, what if it had been 
abandoned ? 

Barney shook himself free from these 
thoughts, and seizing his mandolin, went to join 
Bruce and Timmie on saxophone and rudely- 
devised Indian kettledrums in a wild-woods 
symphony, while the children danced wild steps 
the boys had never seen. 

'' Well, we're oflf ! " Barney said this, as he 
buckled on his harness and touched the starting- 
lever. The wheels of the starting gear bumped 
over the thin-crusted snow and jolted through 


64 Lost in the Air 

Timmie's wheat stubble, then the great bird 
began to rise. 

Winter had set in. Now they glided over dark 
forests of spruce, and now swept above great 
stretches of barren lands. The air was biting 
cold. They were thankful enough for their face- 
protectors, their electric hand and foot warmers, 
their fur-lined leather union-alls. But best of 
all was the glorious freedom of it. Soaring on 
and on over untrodden wildernesses, with no 
thought of dangers known and unknown, made 
them feel like explorers of a new world. The 
engines worked in perfect harmony. A gentle 
breeze from the south urged them on their way. 
The sun soon set and a long night began, but 
what of that? The moon and snow lighted the 
earth as if by day, and with a silvery glory. 
And now the Northern Lights began to flicker, 
flash and shoot across the sky. 

Now they passed over a wide expanse of 
white, which they knew to be Dismal Lake. This 
was frozen over; then surely Great Bear Lake, 
two hundred miles farther north, would be 


In the Midst of the Pack 65 

frozen, too. Their safe landing would be 
assured. 

But as they neared their goal the boys’ minds 
could scarcely escape misgivings. If the Major’s 
suppositions were correct; if, indeed, this trader 
was the hired agent of a fanatical clan, would 
he not be armed and on the alert? Would he 
not, perhaps, have Indians and half-breeds hired 
to help guard his secret? They were but three. 
The enemy might number a score. As Barney 
thought of all this, he was thankful for one 
thing: by some strange chance, a small machine- 
gun and two thousand rounds of ammunition 
had been shipped north with the plane. Their 
first thought had been to leave this behind, but 
after a discussion, they had decided to bring it; 
and there it was now, hanging in its swivel 
before him. In an emergency there remained 
but to load it and go into action. But it was 
quite an unexpected emergency that soon made 
him bless that bit of equipment. 

They were now well into the Arctic. The air 
cut like a knife and chilled them to the marrow. 


66 


Lost in the Air 


Barney began to long for warmth, food and 
sleep. He held his electric glove to the glass of 
the small clock before him. When the frost had 
thawed he noted the hour. 

‘^Twelve o’clock! Midnight!” he muttered. 

And no landing in sight yet.” 

There remained but to '' carry on.” 

But what was this? Far to the North there 
showed a small, red ball of light. And it was 
not the Aurora Borealis! They were traveling 
fast. The ball of fire seemed to roll toward 
them along the earth at terrific speed, growing 
larger and more lurid. And now, beside it, 
wafting from it, like the tail to a comet, they 
could discern a swirling cloud, black in the 
moonlight. 

'' It’s a ' fire ! ” Bruce gasped through his 
mouthpiece. 

^^But what? — ” began Barney. 

Just at that moment he caught the faint white 
line that marked the shore of Great Bear Lake. 
They were, then, nearing their destination. Tilt- 
ing the plane upward, that they might get a bet- 


67 


In the Midst of the Pack 

ter panorama of the region, and so direct their 
course, Barney gave the great engine more gas. 
On they swept. Presently the outlines of bays 
and frozen streams, of scrub forests and barren 
lands were plainly visible. A map under glass 
was just before him. Brushing the frost from 
it, Barney examined it by the light of a small 
electric bulb. Then he looked away at the fire 
which was now clearly visible. His heart sank. 
The trading post was, indeed, a reality, or had 
been. At the present moment it was a ball of 
fire. 

“ IPs the trading post ! He barked to the 
Major. 

‘‘ Traid so,'’ grumbled the Major, hoarsely. 

And the gasoline for our return — " 

‘‘ There it goes," sang Bruce, with a note of 
despair. 

At that instant the whole ball of fire seemed 
to rise in air to burst like some gigantic rocket. 
There was no question in the boys' minds but 
that the supply of gasoline had been reached by 
the flames. 


68 


Lost in the Air 


After the great flash came blackness. The 
fire seemed for a time to have been extinguished. 
Gradually here and there, far below, bits of 
burning tinder gleamed, fiery stars in an inverted 
heaven. Soon the ruins were again blazing. 
They soared close, but high, avoiding the dan- 
gerous pockets of smoke gas. Did they see dark 
figures dancing about the ruins? Or was it 
merely the flickering shadows of posts and tree 
stumps. 

Indians ! ’’ murmured Barney. 

Instantly his mind mirrored to him pictures 
he had seen in histories of painted savages burn- 
ing a settler’s cabin. His blood ran cold. Here 
they were, three men in the frozen wilderness, 
with little gasoline for their machine, with scant 
provisions and ammunition, and rushing toward 
perils they could not even guess. To kill and to 
escape would both be easy for these desperadoes. 

“ Go along down the lake and back again. 
Use as little gas as possible, but keep in the air. 
We better not land at present.” The very steadi- 
ness of the Major’s tone told Barney that this 


In the Midst of the Pack 69 

experienced man of the North expected the 
worst. 

As they rushed down the white expanse, 
many thoughts raced through Barney’s mind. 
It seemed that hunger and cold grew upon him 
with every whirl of the engine-shaft. He 
thought of Bruce and La Vaune. Would they 
ever return to La Vaune with the money which 
was rightfully hers? And Timmie? Would 
they ever be able to help him blot the stain from 
his name? Barney’s friend, Dave Tov^er, who 
had gone North in a submarine on a mission as 
mysterious as their own; would they ever meet? 

They had now turned and were making their 
way slowly back. The fire had burned down to 
a dull red glow. The forest about had escaped 
the flames, and this was fortunate. Should the 
Indians leave them unmolested, they might pos- 
sibly find a means of sustaining life by hunting 
and trapping. 

When we get to the bay, might as well 
land,” grumbled the Major. It’s mighty tough 
up here ! ” 


70 


Lost in the Air 


Barney assured him that it certainly was 
tough. He was glad they were to land, being 
very sure that if an Indian did shoot him he 
would not feel it, so thoroughly benumbed was 
he with cold. 

Then, suddenly, he gave a cry of surprise. 
They were nearing a point where Conjurer’s Bay 
should appear. Instead of the bay he saw what 
appeared to be merely a broad shoulder of frozen 
water, and beyond that, perhaps two miles, was 
a small lake lined by the forest. It was on the 
edge of this small lake that the fire smouldered. 
The boy rubbed his eyes, then looked again. 
Had the cold benumbed his senses? Was he 
seeing things? Was he asleep and dreaming? 

Apparently not, for from Bruce through the 
receiver came a groan, then; 

^‘What’s happened? The whole shape of the 
lake has changed within an hour ! ” 

Barney shut off the engines. In the welcome 
silence which followed, as they drifted down- 
ward in a slow spiral, not a man spoke. Their 
eyes were focused upon the earth. 


In the Midst of the Pack 71 

But now there came to their ears a sound like 
the distant rush of many waters. This grew 
rapidly louder, and finally divided itself into 
rattling and snapping sounds. 

Presently the Major let out a roar of laughter. 

'' Caribou ! ’’ he exploded. '' They pass south 
from the barren lands in herds of hundreds of 
thousands, so thick they look like land! Tip her 
nose up for another circle. See! There is the 
end of the herd away there in the distance. 
We'll be able to land where they have passed 
in fifteen minutes, an ideal landing-place — 
tramped hard." 

With a grin Barney obeyed orders, and, as 
his engines began to revolve, felt himself shoot- 
ing skyward. 

Now it's clear," roared the Major. 

Barney did not respond on the instant. He 
was thinking of something he had read about the 
'' camp-followers of the barren-ground caribou." 
A chill not of the wind and cold crept into his 
heart. But what was to be done? He felt that 
another hour aloft would so benumb his senses 


72 


Lost in the Air 


that a crash would be inevitable. To land at 
a point other than that trampled by the caribou 
involved great risk, for there was undoubtedly 
a thick coating of drifted snow on the lake’s 
surface. So he stopped the engines and they 
spiraled once more toward the earth. 

Now they were nearing the surface of the 
lake. The distance was a thousand feet; now 
eight hundred. Did he see shadows flitting 
across the ice ? At five hundred feet he was sure 
that he did. He said nothing. So intent on 
landing was he that no risk seemed too great. 
At three hundred feet he saw them distinctly — 
gray streaks scooting across the trodden snow 
or resting on haunches, their shadows stretching 
before them. 

'' Great Scott ! ” he muttered, must be hun- 
dreds of them ! Oh well, they’re cowards ! ” He 
tilted the machine for the final glide. There 
came a sudden exclamation from the Major, then 
from Bruce. They, too, had seen. It was too 
late now, for their landing wheels were almost 
touching the surface as they glided on. And 


In the Midst of the Pack 73 

now, strangely enough, some of the gray streaks 
began to chase the plane. As if imagining it a 
bird with flesh to eat and bones to gnaw, they 
came on. Then, all at once, Barney realized 
what they followed — the scent of fresh meat. 
Timmie had killed a reindeer in honor of their 
departure and had presented them with a hind- 
quarter. This was now roped on the fuselage 
behind the Major. They would have a fight. 
He knew that now. He thought of their 
weapons — two rifles. They were almost use- 
less against five hundred gaunt, hungry wolves. 
And they were gaunt; he could see that as he 
flew by them. Evidently camp-following this 
year had not given them an over-abundant sup- 
ply of food. The season’s calves were fleet and 
strong by now, and every herd had its thousands 
of antlered bulls that formed bristling hedges to 
defend their own. 

Bump ! The plane struck the ice and bounded, 
then struck again. Barney’s mind was now 
working fast. Yes, there were other weapons — 
the oxy-acetylene torch — yes, the machine-gun. 


74 


Lost in the Air 

He shouted to Bruce to get the torch, and, as 
soon as the plane slowed down, freed his hands 
from his gloves and began fumbling at the gun 
before him. The Major was unstrapping the 
two rifles. The wolf-pack was crowding around 
in a grinning circle. Barney caught his breath 
as his eyes swept the circle. Five hundred if 
one, dripping- jawed, red-eyed, gray creatures-of- 
prey, they waited, as ever, for the coward’s 
chance to fight with great odds in their favor. 

'' Don’t shoot until forced to,” said Bruce, 
turning to the Major. If you do you may 
bring the whole pack down upon us.” 

In this emergency, Bruce took the lead, and, 
assuredly, that was the wise plan ; for, reared as 
he had been in the forests and plains of the 
Northland, he knew wolves. Just now he was 
dragging from their hiding-place in the fuselage 
two iron tubes, perhaps eighteen inches long and 
six in diameter. One tube contained oxygen, 
the other acetylene gas. The tubes werd con- 
nected by a set of registering valves. To these, 
in turn, was fastened a wire-wound rubber hose 


In the Midst of the Pack 75 

with a long brass nozzle. Once the valves were 
turned, the acetylene gas forced out by a pres- 
sure of a thousand pounds and united with 
oxygen as an, accelerator would produce a shoot- 
ing flame that burned metals as if they were 
sun-dried pulp. 

The machine stopped and the pack crowded 
in. With an electric flash lamp in one hand and 
the rubber hose in the other, Bruce stood watch- 
ing. With aching, clumsy fingers and bleared 
eyes, Barney worked on the machine-gun that, 
with oil fairly frozen in its parts, seemed about 
to refuse to respond. 

Hurry ! ” exclaimed Bruce, as a gaunt form 
with patches of brown, and double nose, telling 
of mixed blood, sprang forward, e^ger to drag 
the fresh meat from the fuselage. 

Instead of firing, the Major beat the beast 
over the head, and with a snarl he resumed his 
place in the ever-narrowing circle. 

And now the time for concerted action on the 
part of the pack seemed to have come; for, with 
one savage snarl, the first row rushed straight 


76 


Lost in the Air 


on. There came a flash, then the hiss of a 
white-tongued fiery serpent. As the first wolf 
reared on his haunches, the smell of burning hair 
and roasting flesh halted the half-maddened 
pack, and, falling over one another, again they 
retreated. 

It was a tense moment. Slapping his hands 
to warm them, Barney adjusted cartridges and 
swept the circle with an imaginary volley. What 
if the machine-gun jammed? There could be but 
one result. The torch would not long hold the 
beasts off. Besides, the gas would not last. 

'‘Well, shoot if you can!” exclaimed Bruce. 
" This gas is precious stuff. We can’t waste it.” 

At that, there came the staccato music of the 
machine-gun. With steady eye Barney swept 
the inner circle. They went down like grain 
before a gale. With strange wild snarls they 
bit at their wounds, at one another, at the snow. 
The gun swept again with its merciless fire. The 
furthermost members of the pack began to 
slink away. Then as Barney raised his gun and 
sent a rain of bullets pattering about them. 


In the Midst of the Pack 77 

the whole snarling pack fled in yelping confu- 
sion. 

The battle was won. Bruce cut off the gas. 
Barney ceased his fire. The Major, loosing his 
harness, stood up and stretched himself. Then 
they looked at one another and laughed. 

Some fight ! ’’ exclaimed Barney. 

Some fight ! ” agreed Bruce. 

‘‘Some fight!” reechoed the Major. “And 
the next thing is to put the injured out of their 
misery. After that we must skin ’em and make 
a cache for the meat.” 

“ Meat ? ” the boys questioned. 

“ Sure,” smiled the Major. “ Wolf meat isn’t 
bad at all. You perhaps forget that we have not 
a hundred miles of gas in the tank. We may 
be here quite some time ! ” 


CHAPTER IV 


A MODERN BATTLE WITH CRIMINALS 

When Dave Tower, Barney Menter’s one-time 
pal, received the letter suggesting a bit of 
“ jazz ’’ somewhere within the Arctic Circle, he 
was on twelve-hour shore leave. They were to 
start on that mysterious subsea journey at high- 
tide next day. He grinned as he showed the note 
to Ensign Blake, his commander. Then he went 
around the corner and purchased a second-hand 
guitar and an oboe. 

Look ! '' he exclaimed, pointing to a pair of 
battered kettledrums in the corner. "‘There’s 
the original pair — made by the Adam and Eve 
of the South Sea Islands, or wherever kettle- 
drums originated. Til buy ’em and teach some 
gob to drum. We’ll have a whole band when we 
aiTive.” 

A few hours later found them aboard the 


78 


A Modern Battle with Criminals 79 

snug, shapely hull of U boat N. 12 of the 
U. S. A. submarine fleet. The sub was a small 
one, patterned after the most recent British 
model, known as the “ K.’’ class. Fleet as a 
flying-fish, she made twenty-two knots on the 
surface and ten knpts when submerged. She 
presented a rather odd appearance, having a 
short, square funnel, which was swung over 
into a recess in the deck when the craft sub- 
merged. 

Her gun and torpedoes had been removed. 
The weight of those had been replaced by an 
additional supply of oil and by quantities of 
provisions. The provisions, together with bales 
of skin clothing, were packed into every avail- 
able space. 

She made splendid progress as she left the 
harbor and wound her way in and out among 
the islands of Puget Sound, to emerge finally 
round Cape Flattery and strike away into the 
open sea. 

It became evident at once that this was no 
coastwise journey. Further than that, not even 


80 


Lost in the Air 


Ensign Blake knew its purpose. 

The sub was registered at the Navy-yard as 
‘‘ off on detached duty.” The crew of ten men 
were all volunteers for the trip. The expedition 
was under the direction of a doctor. A man past 
middle age, he sat in a wicker chair below, smok- 
ing innumerable cigars and saying nothing. 

Far’s I can dope it out,” Blake said to E^ave, 
'' the old fellow did some good service for the 
Government during the war. He’s had plenty of 
experience in the North; has some theories he 
wants to work out about subs and the Arctic. 
The Government has some little trick they want 
pulled off up in that North country. The Doctor 
volunteers to lead the expedition, and here we 
are!” 

‘‘ But what do you suppose — ” 

“ Don’t suppose a thing,” said Blake, gazing 
astern at the last fading bit of land. There’s a 
lot of things that might be ; but like as not none 
of my guesses is correct.” 

Let’s hear you guess.” 

"‘Well, first, you know. Uncle Sam has some 


A Modern Battle with Criminals 81 

valuable seal islands in the Aleutian group. 
Maybe, during the war the Japs or Russians 
have got careless about drifting around that way 
and carrying off a few hundred skins. Might 
be, you know. 

'' But Tm not saying that’s it. A sub would 
be a mighty fine craft for watching that sort of 
game, though. And then, there’s another thing 
I’ve thought of. There’s gold in Russia, on the 
Kamchatkan peninsula; you know that, don’t 
you ? ” 

No.” Dave opened his eyes wide in sur- 
prise. 

‘‘Heaps of it. Tons and tons! Just waiting 
for the digging. And before we went into the 
war, when Russia was still with the Allies and 
needed money, our Government, or independent 
capitalists, I don’t know which, furnished the 
Russians a lot of machinery for mining the gold ; 
about a million dollars’ worth, I guess. Then 
came the revolution in Russia. I doubt if a cent 
has been realized from the sale of machinery. 
Who’s in possession of that peninsula at the 


82 


Lost in the Air 


present time? God alone knows. Japan would 
like to meddle there, Vm sure. Perhaps we're 
being sent up there to conduct an investigation. 

‘‘ Those are my two guesses. Take 'em for 
what they're worth." 

You don’t think," said Dave, that we'd 
attempt the Pole?" 

The ensign was silent for a time. No," he 
said at last, I don’t. Of course, Stefansson 
has said that a ‘ sub ' is the most practical way 
to go there; that ice-floes are never more than 
ten feet thick and twenty-five miles wide, and all 
that; but there are too many unsettled problems 
relating to such a trip." 

But say ! " exclaimed Dave, who is this 
doctor of ours, anyway?" 

Blamed if I know," said Blake, as he turned 
away to go below. 

Well, anyhow," Dave remarked, whoever 
he is, he's going to take us where the white ice- 
floes are drifting. Look at the color of this 
craft; blue-white, like the ice itself." 

The journey North, save for a storm, which 


A Modern Battle with Criminals 83 

they avoided by submerging, was uneventful 
until they found themselves in the company of 
scattered ice-cakes with the snow-capped ridges 
of the Aleutian Islands looming up before them. 

In no time at all every man on the craft real- 
ized that on these islands was to be found one of 
the objects of their quest; for, once they had 
sighted the shores, the funnel was dropped, 
electric power applied, and watchers, dressed in 
white to match the color of the craft, set to scan 
the shores for signs of life. They stole through 
the water like some ghost craft. 

'‘Believe it’s that seal-fishery business?” 
asked Dave, as he and the ensign took their 
watch. 

" No.” 

Dave was certain from the tone that the doc- 
tor had confided his secret to the ensign. He 
asked no more questions. 

So they drifted on. The wind had dropped. 
The swell rolled their craft as it plowed along. 
Here and there a sea-lion thrust its ugly head 
from the water. Twice a seal attempted to climb 


84 


Lost in the Air 


upon the slippery hull for a rest, but, to the 
amusement of the boys, slid back into the water. 
An offer to assist the third one was not appre- 
ciated, and the ridiculously human-like head dis- 
appeared beneath the water with great alacrity. 

Dave had been searching the hills with his 
binoculars for some time when he suddenly gave 
the glass to the ensign. 

‘'What’s that tangle above the cliffs there?” 
he asked. 

The ensign studied the cliffs for some time. 
Then he touched a button with his foot and they 
turned silently shoreward. 

“ That’s it ! ” He said with an air of finality. 

“ What ? ” asked Dave eagerly. 

“ The wireless.” Then the ensign explained to 
Dave the purpose of their journey. They had 
been sent into the Arctic to locate a wireless 
station, supposed to be placed in the Aleutian 
Islands; a station run by radical propagandists, 
part of a world-federation, which proposed to 
wreck all organized society. Had Dave realized 
that the missions of sub and airplane were alike 




A Modern Battle with Criminals 85 

he would have been startled. As it was, his face 
took on a tense, expectant look, his cheeks burned 
hot with excitement. 

The Doctor was called to the conning-tower. 
After studying the contour of the island for 
some time, he said: 

'' Their shack, built of rocks and driftwood 
logs, is at the base of the cliff. That is good. 
We will divide into two parties. Four of us will 
go up the cliff and get above them, while four 
others will skirt the cliff and, under cover, await 
my signal. Our supporting party will take ropes, 
rifles and a machine-gun. I will go with the 
party to the top of the cliff. We will carry only 
rifles and some special instruments o^ attack 
which I have stored in canvas sacks below. Two 
men must remain on board. Head in close to 
those rocks before us. They are out of sight 
of the shack and there is ice stranded there — a 
straggler will scarcely tell our craft from it. 
I have no doubt there are a number of them and 
that they are hardy ruffians. We must proceed 
with great care. 


86 


Lost in the Air 


^‘Hark!’’ He put his hand to his ear. ‘‘They 
are sending messages now. 

“ In the future/' continued the Doctor, as he 
handed Dave two strange-looking spheres, the 
size of a man's head, “ the work of sheriffs, 
policemen and other officers of the law is not 
going to be quite so hazardous. When a crim- 
inal runs amuck, he will not kill a half-score of 
brave men before he is captured. The officers of 
the law will do what we will soon be doing, and 
a child can do the rest. Only," he continued, 
“ watch your step going up that hill. It doesn't 
take much of a bump to get one of these funny 
little balls excited." 

Dave had been detailed to assist the Doctor. 
Ensign Blake would lead the supporting party 
around the cliff, there to await the Doctor's 
signals. 

Besides the sack in which Dave carried the 
large spheres, there was another carried by a 
seaman. This one gave forth a metallic clinking, 
as if it were full of iron eggs. With the Doctor 
and the other seaman carrying two rifles each, 


A Modern Battle with Criminals 87, 

the four men made their way slowly around the 
rocky hillside and were soon advancing silently, 
single-file, up the surface of one of those per- 
petual snow-banks for which the islands are 
noted. 

The rocks above were much larger than they 
had seemed from the sub. Twice, as he climbed 
over them, Dave’s foot slipped and each time his 
heart was in his mouth. One stumbling misstep 
and all might be over for him. But he had the 
clear, cool head of a clean boy who had lived 
right, and an appreciation of the joy of living, 
which would take him far and keep him safe 
through many an adventure. So, safely, they 
reached the top of the cliff. 

The Doctor motioned Dave to come back with 
him to a box-like edge of rock, which would give 
them a view of what lay some three hundred 
feet below. All was still. The moon, a great 
yellow ball, floated in the sky above and in the 
sea beneath. A lone sea-gull, awakened by the 
supporting party, sailed screaming away. Not 
a move, not a sound was to be detected below. 


Lost in the Air 


88 . 

Yet there, in a rocky cavern, were a number of 
wo. Id-criminals, and behind some crag were 
thr^ e jackies and their commander. Soon all this 
woinld be changed. Fighting, perhaps death, 
would end the quiet of that Arctic scene. Dave’s 
hand trembled with excitement as he arranged 
the two sacks beside the Doctor. Even the 
Doctor’s hand shook as he opened one sack and 
drew forth a number of small iron objects, the 
size and shape of a bicycle handle-bar grip. His 
face grew stern. 

^'Understand Mill’s grenades?” he asked. 

" Yes.” 

" All right. When I say ' Go ’ drop ten of 
these as fast as you can release the pins. Drop 
’em on their shack.” 

Dave’s heart thumped violently. He had 
thrown Mill’s grenades at manikin " enemies,” 
but never had he hurled them where human flesh 
was the target. Slowly, mechanically, he ar- 
ranged the ten grenades in a row. 

" Go ! ” The word sang in his ears. 

Ten seconds later from below came two 


A Modern Battle tvith Criminals 89 

sharp reports — his grenade and the Doctor's. 
They were off together. Crash followed crash 
in quick succession until the row v/as finished. 
Silence followed for a single second. Then came 
the cries and curses of men, as they staggered 
from their half-demolished shelter and began to 
scatter. Dave's heart thumped. There were 
fifteen, at least. 

Now ! " exclaimed the Doctor, and lifting 
one of the large spheres he dropped it over the 
ledge's edge. Just as that instance Dave saw one 
of the rascals raise his rifle and fire. Imme- 
diately there came a cry of distress. Dave 
thought he recognized the voice and a lump rose 
in his throat. 

But now there came a dull muffled explosion 
— the strange bomb. Instantly the men below 
began acting like madmen. Throwing away 
their rifles, they staggered about, tearing at their 
eyes, their throats, their clothing, and uttering 
wild cries of distress. At the same time three 
automatic pistols cracked, and Dave knew the 
doctor had given his signal. 


90 


Lost in the Air 


To his surprise, he saw the three jackies 
emerge from hiding wearing gas masks. Quickly 
they overpowered the wild men, tied them and 
carried them around a point of land. As they 
did this the Doctor and his band kept guard 
above, rifles ready for any man who might, by 
some chance, recover sufficiently from the gas 
to shoot. But none did. 

It won’t do them the least bit of harm,” the 
Doctor said, as he noticed the look of surprise on 
Dave’s face. It’s only chlorpicrin — a tear 
gas. It comes in liquid form, so must be asso- 
ciated with an explosive which transforms it 
into a gas and scatters it. You will see that our 
men are carrying them out of it as soon as 
they have them secured. It’s a safe and harm- 
less way of handling criminals. The war taught 
us that.” 

‘'But the ensign?” exclaimed Dave, as he 
saw the last ruffian in the hands of the jackies. 

“ Something must have happened to him,” 
said the Doctor rising hastily. 

“ There was a shot,” Dave reminded him. 


A Modern Battle with Criminals 91 

Together they hastily made their way down 
the rough hillside. Slipping, sliding, falling, to 
rise again, they came to the lower surface and 
hurried around the point where the prisoners 
had been carried. 

A strange scene awaited them. Sixteen men 
lying in a row, all tightly bound. And what a 
motley crew they were — Japs, Russians, Mex- 
icans, Greeks, and even Americans, they had 
gathered here for a common purpose. But it is 
doubtful if one of them could have told what 
the next step would be, should their first task be 
accomplished. 

Off to one side, lay Ensign Blake, white and 
stijl. One of the seamen was bending over him. 

'' Got an ugly one in the chest,’’ he said simply. 

Think we can save him? ” 

The Doctor bent over, and tearing away 
Blake’s garments, made a thorough examination. 

'' He’ll pull through,” he said. But we must 
get him to the mission hospital at Unalaska at 
once. Begin throwing those rascals aboard. 
There’s a prison there for their accommodation.” 


92 


Lost in the Air 


At that moment the two other jackies ap- 
peared, carrying a moaning burden in the shape 
of a Jap radical. 

One's done in for good," the foremost man 
explained. We searched the ruins. Maybe 
we can save this fellow." 

'' Take him aboard," said the Doctor. Then, 
turning, he directed the men wfio carried their 
fallen commander to the craft. 

^ >ji ^ 

“ Well, that about ends our present career in 
the Arctic." The Doctor was speaking to Dave, 
and emphasized his word with a sigh. I had 
hoped we might do something really big, but 
Blake will not be out again this season. He’ll 
get around again all right, but it’s a slow 
process." 

Dave sat thinking. Suddenly he jumped to 
his feet. 

'' Doctor," he said eagerly, '' there’s a gob on 
board who is sure a wonder at navigation. 
Don’t you think — think, he and I might manage 
the sub for you — your trip?" 


A Modern Battle with Criminals 93 

— m/’ The Doctor grew thoughtful, but 
a flash of hope gleamed in his eye. 

'' Tell you what,’’ he said presently, '' there’s 
a considerable ice-floe between the islands; the 
north wind brought it down last night. Have 
your crew ready for a try-out in the morning.” 

With a heart that ached from pure joy of 
anticipation, Dave hurried to an ancient sealer’s 
bunk-house where his men were housed. A 
try-out, try-out, try-out,” kept ringing in his 
ears. What did it mean if they were successful ? 
Something big, wonderful, he v/as sure. Rus- 
sian gold? Charting Northeast Passage? North 
Pole ? He did not know, but nothing seemed too 
difficult for his daring young heart. 

And the next day the try-out came. And 
such an ordeal as it was ! Gobs had surely never 
been put to a test like that in any navy-yard 
training station! For five long hours they 
dived and rose and dived again. They rose sud- 
denly, rose slowly ; they tipped, glided, shot 
through the water. They passed for miles be- 
neath the ice-floe, to emerge at last and bump a 


94 


Lost in the Air 


cake, or lift themselves toward a dark spot not 
larger than the sub itself — a patch of open 
water in the midst of the floe. • 

With mind all in a whirl, Dave gave the final 
command to make for port. It had been a great 
day. 

That night, after chow,’’ the Doctor called 
Dave into his room at the hospital. 

'' Young man,” he said, motioning the boy to 
a seat,” you and your crew have surprised me 
beyond belief. I feel that we shall be risking 
little in attempting what, to many, might seem 
the most diflicult task ever undertaken by a sub- 
marine. I do not yet feel free to tell you what 
that trip will be; you’ll have to take that on 
faith. I can only tell you that we will proceed 
from here directly to Nome, Alaska. There we 
will get more oil and provisions. We will then 
sail through Behring Strait due North.” 

For a time the two sat in silence. The Doc- 
tor’s face grew mellow, then sad at recollections 
of years that had gone. 

''I don’t mind telling you,” he said after 


A Modern Battle with Criminals 95 

awhile, '' that I am an explorer, you almost 
might say ‘ by profession ; ’ that some years ago 
another explorer and I sought the same goal. 
We went from different points; both claimed to 
have reached it. But he got the honors.” 

And you really reached — ” 

Doesn’t matter now what I did in the past,” 
interrupted the Doctor quickly. What I am 
to do in the future is all that counts, and the im- 
mediate future is big with possibilities.” 

‘‘ The crew will be with you to a man,” Dave 
assured him, as he rose to go. 

As he stepped into the cool night air, Dave 
found that his face was hot with excitement. 
There was left in his mind not one doubt as to 
their final destination: it was to be a try for 
the Pole. Only one thought saddened him; that 
his good friend, Blake, would not continue as 
one of the party. 

Two days later they crossed over to the island 
of the illicit wireless station. They found the 
apparatus in perfect condition, and the Doctor 
at once began sending messages. 


96 


Lost in the Air 


'' Tm letting the world know of our purpose/’ 
he explained. ^‘At least, trying to. Sending 
messages by code to a friend of mine in Chicago. 
Hope Seattle will pick it up, and if not, perhaps 
that radical operator who is supposed to be re- 
laying messages to Canada and the States from 
the north-central portion of the Continent will 
catch it, and, thinking it one of his own messages 
in a new code, pass it on.” 

Had the doctor known what kind of radicals 
were in control of the station on Great Bear 
Lake at that moment, perhaps he would have 
been more careful what messages he sent. 

If you don’t miiid,” said Dave, for the 
sake of my friends, and especially of my mother, 
I wish you’d include my name in the message.” 

'' It’s already done,” smiled the Doctor. 


CHAPTER V 


AN INFERNAL MACHINE 

When Bruce, Barney and the Major found 
themselves stranded on the shore of a vast 
frozen lake at the beginning of an Arctic winter, 
they at once took steps to conserve all resources. 
Building a cache between three scrub spruce 
trees, they piled upon it their wolf meat and 
skins. ^ To Barney the thought of eating '' dog 
meat,’’ as he called it, was most repulsive, but 
necessity gives man little choice in the Arctic, 
so he munched his roast wolf’s back that night in 
silence. But at the same time, he vowed that, 
sure as the caribou had not all passed, he would 
dine on caribou roast before long. 

Once the cache was completed, they began 
scouting the woods near the ruins of the burned 
trading station. There they found plain signs 
97 


98 


Lost in the Air 

of Indians. A circle of beaten tracks made cer- 
tain a pow-wow had been held there. 

‘‘ Doesn’t look very good to me,” admitted the 
Major. These Indians of the Little Sticks are 
a fierce and cruel people, full of superstitions, 
and living up to the old law of ‘ blood revenge.’ 
There’s only one thing in our favor: they have 
a superstition about a giant creature, known as 
the Thunder-bird. The stories of this terrible 
bird are known to almost all Indian tribes, but 
the Little Sticks believe them literally. From 
the tracks I should judge that they left in great 
haste. What could cause this fright, save the 
sound and sight of our plane hovering over 
them? Since it is almost certain that they have 
never seen an airplane, it seems likely that they 
considered it to be old Thunder-bird come to 
carry them off. If that is true, I shall not look 
for them back in a hurry.” 

“ What puzzles me is, where’s the remains of 
the fellow’s generator and wireless?” said Bar- 
ney. Don’t see anything down there in the 
ruins, do you? ” 


An Infernal Machine 


99 


Instantly all eyes were turned toward the 
smouldering piles of ashes. 

“ The place was wired all right/' said the 
Major, pointing to a mass of tangled lighting 
wire. 

‘^Say! What's that out in the center?" ex- 
claimed Barney. Looks like the bones of a 
man ? " 

'' So it does," said the Major, and surely is. 
Well, there can't be any further doubt about the 
rascal being burned in the ruins of his own 
house." 

Then there came a shout from Barney. He 
had been tracing out the masses of blackened 
wire. 

Look ! " he exclaimed. Here's where the 
lead-wires go into the ground. Must be a sepa- 
rate power-house. Three lead-wires instead of 
two. What do you suppose that means? " 

He clipped the soft wires off with his heavy 
knife, and bent them apa.rt to avoid short cir- 
cuits; then, closely followed by the others, went 
plowing away through the snow to search out 


100 


Lost in the Air 


the point where the wires left the ground. They 
traced them through the scrub timber, and, 
almost at once, came upon a strange frame-iike 
structure, ending in a tall pole, and having at its 
center a house built of logs. The whole affair 
was quite invisible outside the timber. 

“ It’s his wireless station,” breathed the 
Major. '' No further doubt remains.” 

He stepped to the door and found himself gaz- 
ing into a well-arranged room — electric gener- 
ator, storage batteries in rows and instruments 
of every description along the walls and the 
floor. 

But what caught Bruce’s eye was two 
rows of ten-gallon cans piled in the rear. With 
a cry of joy he sprang toward them. But his 
joyful look changed to an anxious one, as he 
lifted can after can and found it empty. Only 
one contained gasoline, and that was but half- 
full. 

“ Not enough to give our Thunder-bird a 
drink,” he groaned disgustedly. 

Well, at any rate,” said the Major, '' we’ve 


An Infernal Machine 101 

found a place that won’t make a bad shelter from 
Arctic blizzards. I suggest that we bring the 
plane up to the edge of the woods nearest this 
point and camp here.” 

What’s that? ” exclaimed Bruce in a startled 
whisper, as he detected some noise outside. 

He pushed the door open fearlessly, then 
laughed. There stood a dog. 

'' Not a bad find,” sail the Major. He may 
be a lot of help to us. And, look! There are 
four others! They’re the trader’s dogs. Ran 
away when the place burned, I haven’t a doubt. 
Barney, run and get some wolf meat. We’ll 
have a team at once. And we’ll need it. Can’t 
move the plane without it.” 

They were soon on good terms with the 
strange dogs. The Major, who appeared to 
know all there was to know about Arctic life, 
fashioned some Eskimo style harness from wolf- 
skin, and before many hours they had their plane 
by the edge of the woods, and were settled in 
their new home. 

That night, after they had enjoyed reindeer 


102 


Lost in the Air 

steak as a special treat, the Major rather play- 
fully put the receiving piece of the wireless over 
his head and clicked the machine. Almost in- 
stantly, he exclaimed: 

‘'Jove! I’m getting something! Give me a 
note-book and pencil.” 

For fifteen minutes he scratched strange dots 
and dashes across innumerable pages. At last 
he paused and removed the receiver. 

“ Guess that’s about all for this time. Let’s 
see what we’ve got.” 

Three heads bent over the message. But, 
after hours of study, the only conclusion they 
could come to was that the message had been 
sent in a secret code, which they might never 
be able to decipher. 

“ Well,” said the Major, with a sigh. “ Sta- 
tion’s closed for to-night. Tell the gentleman 
to call again in the morning.” At that he crept 
into his sleeping-bag and was soon snoring. The 
two boys gladly followed his example. 

Barney made the first announcement in the 
morning. He was going caribou hunting. He 


An Infernal Machine 


103 


had had quite enough dog meat/’ Bruce of- 
fered to go with him, but, on second thought, 
decided to try fishing through the ice. 

Barney was soon lost in the wilderness of 
scrub spruce. But, though he hunted far, he 
found no fresh caribou tracks. It was on his 
return trip that he received the first surprise of 
the day. The wind was blowing fine snow 
along the surface and he found his out-going 
trail half-buried. Then, suddenly, he came upon 
strange footprints. The person apparently had 
been going North, but upon seeing the white 
boy’s track he had turned and retreated. The 
tracks were fresh and had been made by a heel- 
less skin-shoe. 

Indian ! ” Barney gasped. 

Even as he spoke he caught the gleam of a 
camp-fire through the trees; then another and 
another. Without a moment’s delay Barney 
started for the camp two miles away. 

He had reached the open space where the 
trading station had stood, had nearly crossed it, 
when out of the edge of the ruins there rose the 


104 


Lost in the Air 


form of a man, not an Indian but a white man. 
Barney’s first thought was that it was Bruce or 
the Major. His second look brought action. 
He dropped flat behind some fire-blackened 
debris. The man wore a tomato-colored mack- 
inaw, such as was not to be found in their out- 
fit. Whoever he was, his back was turned and 
he had not seen the boy. 

Creeping a little forward, Barney peered 
around the pile. What he saw set the cold chills 
chasing up his back. The man had torn two of 
the lead-wires from the frosted earth. Slowly 
he placed their points together. In that instant 
the boy understood. He knew now the reason 
for the three wires leading to the power-house. 
Two were for carrying light to the building. If 
the third one was connected with the right one 
of the lighting-wires, an infernal-machine would 
be set going, and the power-house, with all in 
it, would be blown to atoms. And, at this 
moment, Bruce and the Major were there. The 
man, whoever he was, had, since the wires were 
broken, found it necessary to test the pairs out. 


An Infernal Machine 


105 


His first trial had been wrong. He was bending 
over for a second try when something struck 
him, bowling him over like a ten-pin. It was 
Barney. 

The man was heavier than Barney, and evi- 
dently older. He was fit, too. One thing Bar- 
ney had noticed — the gleam of an automatic in 
the man’s hip-pocket. In his sudden attack he 
had managed to drag this out and drop it upon 
the snow. 

The struggle which followed was furious. 
Holds were lost and won. Blood flecked the 
snow, arms were wrenched and faces bruised. 
Slowly, steadily, Barney felt his strength leav- 
ing him. 

At last, with a gliding grip, the man’s hand 
reached his throat. It was all over now. Bar- 
ney’s senses reeled as the grip tightened. His 
lungs burned, his head seemed bursting. He 
was about to lose consciousness, when through 
his mind there flashed pictures of Bruce and the 
Major. He must! He must! With one last 
heroic effort, he threw the man half from him. 


106 


Lost in the Air 


Then, faintly, far distant, there seemed to echo a 
shot, a single shot; then all sensation left him. 

When the boy felt himself coming back to 
consciousness, he hardly knew whether he was 
still in the land of the living. He dared not 
move or open his eyes. Where was he? What 
of the stranger? The Major and Bruce; had 
they been blown into eternity ? Again and again 
these problems whirled through his dizzy mind. 

Then all at once, he heard a voice. 

I think he’s coming ’round,” someone, very 
far off, was saying. 

It was the gruff voice of the Major. Barney 
opened his eyes to find his companions bending 
over him. 

‘‘ What happened? ” he asked weakly, his eyes 
searching their faces. 

That’s what we’d like to know,” answered 
Bruce ; we heard a shot, and hurrying out here 
found you unconscious beside a dead man.” 

'' Dead? ” Barney sat up dizzily. 

‘'Sure is. Did you shoot him?” 

“ Shoot — I shoot — ” The boy tried to 


An Infernal Machine 107 

steady his whirling brain. No, I didn’t shoot 
him.” 

Gradually the world ceased whirling about 
him and he was able to think clearly. Then, to- 
gether, they pieced out the story. Barney told 
what had happened, and you may be very sure 
it was a sober pair that listened. 

‘‘ Well, my boy,” said the Major solemnly, 
“ we owe our lives to you ; there’s no doubt 
about that. As for him,” he added, pointing to 
the dead man, he must have rolled upon the 
automatic when you made your last effort, and 
accidentally discharged it. He has a bullet-hole 
in the back of his head where a pin-prick would 
have killed him. A case of pure Providence, 
I’d call it.” 

Let’s get out of here,” said Barney, showing 
signs of weakness. I’ve had quite enough of 
.it.” 

With an arm on either of his comrades’ 
shoulders, he made his way back to the station, 
where a bowl of hot reindeer broth completely 
revived him. 


108 


Lost in the Air 


The next thing/’ said Bruce, is to hunt out 
that infernal contraption which threatens our 
lives/' 

It was a delicate and dangerous undertaking, 
but little by little, they traced out the wires and 
disconnected them. At last they found it in a 
small box which had been skillfully fitted into 
a beam. 

‘^Innocent looking little thing,” said Bruce, 
holding it up for inspection. To-morrow I am 
going to take it out to the lake, hook it up with 
a couple of batteries and see if it’s got any 
kick.” 

After a hearty meal, the three resumed their 
previous evening's occupation, attempting to 
decipher the strangely coded message. 

‘‘ Here’s a theory to try out,” said Bruce. A 
message is usually composed of nearly an equal 
number of words of one to three letters and of 
those having more than three. These are likely 
to be used alternately. If then, you find two or 
three words of four or more letters, it’s likely 
to be a name. The man, whoever he is, has 


An Infernal Machine 109 

signed only a code name, but there may be more 
names in the body of the message. Look it 
over.’’ 

Yes, here are two words together of five 
letters each,” exclaimed Barney 

Think of names you know that are spelled 
with five letters,” said Bruce excitedly. 

Instantly there came into Barney’s mind the 
name of his former pal. 

'' There’s Dave Tower,” he said. '' He’d sign 
it David, of course.” 

^‘Just fits,” exclaimed Bruce, more excited 
than ever. And by all that’s Canadian, the 
first and last letters of the first name are the 
same, just as they are here. I believe we’re on 
the right track.” 

But what would his pal have to do with it? ” 
asked the astonished Major. 

, '' He went North about the time we started.” 
Barney danced over the floor in his excitement. 

While the boys were too excited to do further 
deciphering, the Major’s cooler brain was busy. 
Soon he rose and began pacing rapidly back and 


110 


Lost in the Air 


forth across the room. His face wore anything 
but a pleased expression, and his limp was 
greatly increased by his irritation. 

Did you get it ? ” asked Barney, 
should say I did!’’ exclaimed the Major. 
Right in the neck ! And to think,” he sputtered, 
here we are without gasoline to carry us a 
hundred miles, and he starting with everything 
in his favor. If we just had gas for three hun- 
dred miles. There’s plenty on the schooner, 
Gussie Brown. I called Nome yesterday and 
found that out. But they can’t bring it to us, 
and we can’t go to them. We’re stuck; stuck 
right here! And he’s starting to-morrow!” 

The boys stared in speechless amazement, as 
the Major, dropping into a chair, covered his 
face with his hands. 

It was many minutes before he was calm 
enough to tell them the simple truth of the mat- 
ter, which was, of course, that the wireless mes- 
sage was that one sent by the Doctor on the 
Aleutian Islands, telling of his intended journey 
Northward; also that this same doctor was a 


An Infernal Machine 


111 


hated rival explorer, whom he had beaten a few 
years before; that he had not intended going 
North at this time, bui: this action of his rival 
made it imperative that he do so now. Finally, 
that the trading gasoline schooner, Gussie 
Brown, was frozen in the ice three hundred 
miles north of Conjurer’s Bay and Great Bear 
Lake, and had an ample supply of gasoline. 

But after all, I guess we’re beaten,” said the 
Major wearily. "Mf we succeed in getting out 
of this scrape alive we’ll be fortunate.” 

Cheer up ! The worst is yet to come,” smiled 
Barney. Let’s turn in.” 

Two interesting problems awaited the party 
in the morning. Was the man who had been 
accidentally shot the night before the anarchist 
trader? If so, who was the person whose bones 
lay in the ruins? Was the infernal-machine a 
genuine affair, and if so, would it explode? 
While the Major was still brooding over his dis- 
appointment, the boys were so eager for these 
investigations that they quite forgot the affair of 
the wireless message. 


112 


Lost in the Air 


The identity of the dead man was soon estab- 
lished by papers found in his pockets. He was 
the trader. The skull found in the ruins was 
unmistakably that of an Indian. A break in this 
skull showed that the person had died a violent 
death and had not been caught by the fire. The 
conclusion the boys arrived at was that the 
trader had killed the Indian and had fled to the 
woods. The Indians in revenge had burned his 
trading station. That he had intended to de- 
stroy the explorers was beyond question. He 
had, therefore, met a well-deserved fate. His 
body was buried, Eskimo-style, on top of the 
ground, with stones piled over it to protect it 
from wolves. 

When this work had been completed, the two 
boys took the infernal-machine down to the 
frozen surface of the lake where there could be 
no danger from an explosion, and connected it 
with wires which they laid along the surface 
from the steep, snow-buried shore. 

Must be twenty feet of snow in there ! ex- 
claimed Bruce, as for the third time he lost his 


An Infernal Machine 


113 


footing and slid to the bottom of the slope. 

Presently they were well behind the ridge in 
the forest, and out of range of any flying splin- 
ters of machine or ice. 

I feel as I used to when I was a schoolboy, 
and hid with the rest of the gang out in the 
woods and shot off charges of gunpowder in a 
gas-pipe bomb,’' grinned Barney, as he screwed 
one wire to a post of a battery. 

'' Now we’ll — ” he exclaimed breathlessly. 

His last word was lost in the roar of a tre- 
mendous explosion. The shores of the bay took 
up the sound and sent it echoing and reechoing 
through the forest. Fine bits of ice came rat- 
tling down through the trees, while a great cloud 
of smoke and mist floated lazily over their heads. 

Whew ! Some explosion ! ” murmured Bar- 
ney. 

Bruce was silent. His face was white. 

What’s up ? ” asked Barney. 

Nothing. I’m all right,” Bruce smiled 
grimly. I was only thinking what might have 
happened yesterday.” 


114 


Lost in the Air 


Forget it/’ grumbled Barney. “ C’mon, let’s 
see the ruins.” 

‘^Fish!” exclaimed Bruce, as they emerged 
from the forest. And assuredly there were fish 
in abundance. The thirty-foot wide pool, from 
which the ice had been blown, was white with 
them. There were salmon, salmon-trout, white- 
fish, lake-trout, flounders, and others the boys 
did not know. Hundreds and hundreds of them, 
stunned by the explosion, floated on the surface 
only waiting to be harvested. 

‘‘ We’ll have to work carefully,” said Barney, 
starting forward. ‘‘ The ice is pretty well shat- 
tered. A plunge in that water, and the tempera- 
ture at thirty below, wouldn’t be pleasant, but I 
believe we can save every one of them. Get a 
pole.” He began cutting a large branch from a 
spruce tree. Bruce followed his example. 

‘‘ Now ! ” Barney exclaimed, preparing to slide 
down the bank. But he paused in surprise. The 
snow-bank, shattered by the blast, had gone 
tumbling down to the surface of the lake. And 
what was that protruding above what remained 


An Infernal Machine 


115 


of the snow? It was dark and V-shaped, like 
the gable of a roof. 

Barney was for investigating at once, but 
Bruce was more practical 5 the fish must be se- 
cured immediately. This food might yet stand 
between them and starvation. 

They were soon whipping the pool with their 
poles, and, as the fish came to the ice edge, they 
gathered them in. Some were monsters, two or 
three feet in length. It was, indeed, a great haul. 
They piled them on the ice like cord-wood. 
Already they were freezing; they would remain 
fresh for months. 


CHAPTER VI 


THE RACE IS ON 

''And now for the lakeside secret/’ exclaimed 
Barney, tossing the last fish upon the pile, and 
throwing his frosty pole aside. 

Eagerly Bruce sprang to his feet. Together 
^hey raced around the pool. Clambering over 
the tumbled avalanches of snow, they were soon 
within sight of the strange triangle. Barney’s 
heart beat fast. What was it ? Could it be only 
a bit of bent timber lodged there on the log- 
roof of a long-abandoned Indian shack? Or 
was it — was it what he knew Bruce hoped it 
might be — a supply-house for gasoline, or per- 
haps a motor-boat with a supply of gasoline 
on board? 

Excitedly they attacked the piles of snow. 
Lacking shovels, they worked with hands and 
feet. Hope grew with every kick and scoop. 

116 


The Race Is On 


117 


This was no mere bit of timber, nor yet an aban- 
doned shack; it was too recently built to leave a 
doubt about that. And now they had reached 
the top of the door. 

I say weVe found it,’^ panted Bruce, re- 
doubling his efforts. 

Wait. Don't hope too much," gasped Bar- 
ney, tossing aside snow like a dog burrowing for 
a rabbit. 

The door had a spring padlock on it. Barney, 
hurrying to the lake for some pieces of ice, 
cracked the lock as he would a nut between 
stones. Then, prying the door open a bit at 
the top, he tried to peer in. 

“ Dark," he muttered. “ Can't see a thing." 

Breathlessly they resumed work. 

And now the door was free to the very bot- 
tom. It was Bruce's turn. Forcing the door 
open a foot, he took one good look, then let out 
a whoop. 

'' Gasoline! " he shouted. '' Bedons of it! " 

'' May be empty," suggested Barney. 

'' I'll see," said Bruce. An instant more, and 


118 


Lost in the Air 


having crowded himself through the narrow 
space, he struck a hundred-gallon steel bedon 
with his fist. No hollow sound came from it. 

'' Full,” he exclaimed, and, the strain over, 
sank to the floor with a sigh of relief. 

The more hardy Barney began to explore the 
place. To the back was a small gasoline launch, 
apparently in perfect condition. Ranged along 
the right wall were the bedons, five of them, all 
full but one, and each containing a hundred gal- 
lons. 

‘‘ Well,” said Barney, sitting on a bedon, and 
kicking his heels against its steel side, now we 
can take the Major to the moon, or any other old 
place he wishes to go ; that is, if we want to.” 

For a long time Bruce was silent. Now that 
the excitement was over he realized he was 
homesick. Then, too, the dangers of yesterday 
had shaken his nerves. He was thinking, also, 
of La Vaune working her way through the 
academy when money, much money, belonging to- 
her lay idle; and of Timmie, who awaited their 
return to assist him in the retrieving of his good 


the Race Is On 


119 


name. But there came the after-thought: had 
it not been for the Major's trust in him and in 
Barney, none of these things would have been 
possible. Yes, they owed a debt to the Major 
and that debt must be paid. 

And I guess we want to take him where he 
wants to go," said he, straightening up as he 
looked his friend in the eye. 

Good ! " exclaimed Barney. “ I was going 
to leave it to you, but I knew you'd do it. It's 
the chance of our lives. I'm sure- he means the 
Pole — the North Pole! Think of it! And, 
then, there's the reward ! " 

Guess we'd better squeeze out of here and 
go break the glad news," said Bruce. He's up 
there fairly eating his heart but." 

'' The race is on," muttered Barney, as they 
hurried up the bank. 

The race is on," echoed the Major, a few 
minutes later, as he walked the floor in high 
glee. 

Yes, sir, it is," said Barney, and a good 
clean race it will be if Dave Tower is skipper of 


120 Lost in the Air 

that submarine. I never knew a squarer fel- 
low.’’ 

The Major, limbering up his wireless instru- 
ments, sent a message snap-snapping across the 
frozen expanse. 

What you doing?” asked Barney. 

Just letting that foxy old rival of mine knew 
I got his message and that I’m on the job,” 
chuckled the Major. I’ll get off other messages 
every three hours for a time.” 

Would you mind mentioning my nahie in the 
message?” asked Barney. You see. I’ve got 
a date for a little jazz with Dave up at the Pole, 
and I’d like him to know I’m planning to keep 
the appointment.” 

The Major chuckled again, and included this 
in his message : 

'' Barney Menter, pilot.” 

The party at the Aleutian station caught the 
Major’s second sending of the message. The 
Doctor’s face grew gray, as he realized its mean- 
ing. 

Great Providence! ” he exclaimed. '' Will he 


The Race Is On 


121 


beat me again?'' Then striking the table with 
his fist. ‘‘He will not! We're crippled by the 
loss of an important member of our party. He 
has the swiftest conveyance, but it is not the 
surest. We will win! We start to-morrow. The 
race is on ! " 

As for Dave, he was more than glad at the 
prospect of meeting Barney at the Pole. He was 
confident that both expeditions would succeed. 
The only question in his optimistic young mind 
was, which would arrive first? If his trying 
could decide it, the sub would get there first He 
and Barney had been chums since boyhood, but 
they had been keen competitors in all their play, 
study and work. Now their wits were once more 
fairly matched. 

“ It's the army and the navy ! " he exclaimed. 
“ A fair, square race. And may the best one 
win." 

“ I might say," remarked the Doctor, “ that 
there is a bountiful prize offered to the first per- 
son who next reaches the Pole, and who brings 
back three witnesses who can make readings of 


122 


Lost in the Air 


latitude and longitude to testify to the facts. 
Should we win, the prize will go to you and the 
crew.’^ 

'' ril go tell them,’’ said Dave, donning his 
cap. A moment later the Doctor heard cheers 
which sounded like: 

Rah ! Rah ! Rah for Doctor ! Rah ! Rah I 
Rah for the North Pole ! ’’ 

The race was on! 

Her secret service days over for the present, 
the ‘‘ sub ’’ had been given a coat of black paint. 
Now, as she scudded through the dark waters 
of Behring Sea, Dave, standing in the conning- 
tower, thought how much she must resemble a 
whale. During the war many a leviathan of the 
deep had met death because he resembled a 
submarine. Now, in peace times, in this feed- 
ing ground of the greatest of all prey, the tables 
might be turned, the submarine taken for whale. 

The race was on. Across Behring Sea they 
sped through foam-flecked waves and driving 
mists. Pausing only a day at Nome, they pushed 
oil past Port Clarence, rounded Cape Prince of 


The Race Is On 


123 


Wales, and entered boldly into the great un- 
known, the Arctic Ocean. A million wild fowl, 
returning to the Southland, shot away over their 
heads. Here and there they saw little brown 
seals bob out of the water to stare at them. 
Once they ran a race with a great white bear, 
and again they sighted a school of whales. They 
gave these a wide berth, for should they grow 
friendly and mix their great flippers with the 
sub’s propeller, trouble would follow. Walrus, 
too, were avoided, for they had a playful habit 
of bumping the under-surface of any craft they 
might chance to meet. 

At last, far to the North there appeared a 
glaring white line. They had reached the ice. 
Their days of merry sailing on the surface were 
well-nigh over. From this time on life would 
be spent in stuffy, steel-lined, electric-lighted 
compartments. But for all that, it would not be 
so bad. Openings in the floes would offer them 
opportunities to rise for a breath of fresh air, 
and dangers seemed few enough, since the ocean 
everywhere was deep, and ice-bergs, sinking 


124 


Lost in the Air 


dangerously to a great depth below the surface, 
were few. Only the piles of ice and great six- 
foot-thick pans would make a white roof to the 
ocean, which was not without its advantage, for 
here the water would always be delightfully 
calm. 

Shutting off the engines, dropping the funnel, 
closing the hatch, they sank quickly beneath the 
water’s surface, and were soon passing below a 
marvelous panorama of lights and shadow. 
Through the thick glass of the observation win- 
dows there flooded tints varying from pale-blue 
to ultramarine and deep purple. No sunset could 
vie wdth the color schemes that kaleidoscoped 
above them. Here a great pile of ancient ice 
gave the whole a reddish tinge ; and here a broad 
pan of transparent new ice cast down the deep- 
blue of the sky ; and again a thicker floe admitted 
a light as mellow as expert decorators could have 
devised. 

It’s wonderful ! ” murmured the Doctor. 


CHAPTER VII 


A STRANGE PEOPLE 

Ten hours after the start of the submarine, 
Dave Tower’s eye anxiously watched the dial 
which indicated a rapidly lessening supply of 
oxygen, while his keenly appraising mind meas- 
ured time in terms of oxygen supply. They were 
still scudding along beneath that continuous 
kaleidoscopic panorama of green and blue lights 
and shadows, but no one noticed the beauty of 
it now. All eyes were strained on the plate- 
glass windows above, and they looked but for 
one thing — a spot, black as night itself, which 
would mean open water above. 

“There it is to starboard!” exclaimed the 
Doctor. Careful backing and steering to star- 
board brought merely the disclosure that the 
Doctor’s eye-strain had developed to the point 
where it produced optical illusions. 

125 


126 Lost in the Air 

The oxygen was all this time dwindling. To 
avoid further waste of time, Dave told his first 
mate to close his eyes for three minutes while 
he kept watch, then to open them and spell 
him at the watch. 

''Straight ahead! Quick!’’ muttered the 
mate, as the dial hung fluttering at zero. 

Seizing a lever here and there, watching this 
gauge, then that one, Dave sent the craft slant- 
ing upward. Like some dark sea monster seek- 
ing air, the " sub ” shot toward the opening. 

And now — now the prow tilted through 
space. Another lever and another, and she 
balanced for a second on the surface. For a 
second onty, then came a crash. T-oo much 
eagerness, too great haste, had sent the conning- 
tower against the solid six-foot floe. 

With lips straight and white Dave grasped 
two levers at once. The craft shot backward. 
There followed a sickening grind which could 
only tell of interference with the propeller. Too 
quick a reverse had sent it against the ice astern. 
Shutting off all power, Dave allowed her to rise 


127 


A Strange People 

silently to the surface. Then, as silently, one 
member of the crew opened the hatch and they 
all filed out. 

Propeller’s still there,” breathed one of the 
gobs in relief. 

’Fraid that won’t help,” said Dave. 

^‘Jarvie,” he said, turning to the engineer, 
go below and start her up at lowest speed.” 

In a moment there followed a jangling grind. 

The engineer reappeared. 

As I feared, sir,” he reported. It’s the 
shaft, sir. She’ll have to go to shore for repairs. 
Only a hot fire and heavy hammering can fix 
her. Can’t be done on board or on the ice.” 

‘‘ Ashore! ” Dave rubbed his forehead, pulled 
his forelock, and tried to imagine which way 
land might be after ten hours of travel in the 
uncharted waters of the great Arctic sea. 

I’ll leave it to you, Jarvis,” he smiled. “ If 
you can locate land, and show us how to get 
there across these piles of ice with a disabled 
submarine, you shall have a medal from the 
National Geographic Society.” 


128 


Lost in the Air 


The engineer was not a gob, strictly speak- 
ing. He was an old English seaman, who had 
often sailed the Arctic in a whaler. Now he 
went below with the words : 

'' ril find the nearest land, right enough, me 
lad; but as to gittin’ there, that’s quite another 
matter.” 

Thereafter the engineer might be seen from 
time to time dashing up the hatchway to take 
an observation, then back to the chart-table, 
where he examined first this chart, then that one. 
Some of the charts were new, just from the 
hands of the hydrographic bureau. These be- 
longed to the craft. Others were soiled and 
torn; patched here and there, or reinforced by 
cloth from a discarded shirt. These belonged to 
Jarvis, himself; had been with him on many a 
journey and were now most often consulted. 

'' Near’s h’l can make it, sir,” he said, at last, 
'' we’re some two hundred miles from Point 
Hope on the Alaska shores and a bit farther 
from a point on the Russian shore, which the 
natives call On-na-tak, though what the place is 


129 


A Strange People 

like h’l can’t say, never ’aving been there. Far’s 
h’l know, no white man’s been there, h’either; 
leastwise, not in our generation.” 

He studied the charts and made one further 
observation : 

Far’s h’l can tell, sir,” he smiled, On-na- 
tak’s h’our only chance. Current sets that way 
h’at three knots an hour. That means we’ll drift 
there in four or- five days. There’ll be drift- 
wood on the beach, and, with good luck, we can 
fix ’er up there. Mayhap there’s coal in the 
banks by the sea, and thr?t’s greater luck for us 
if there is.” 

The Doctor, who had sat all this time in 
silence, smoking his black cigars, now rose and 
began pacing the deck. 

Four or five days? Four or five, did you 
say? Great Creation! That will mean the los- 
ing of the race 1 ” 

Jarvis nodded his head. 

‘‘ H’anything less would mean that and more,” 
said the old engineer. Going down with such 
a shaft would mean death to all of us.” 


130 


Lost in the Air 


The Doctor sighed. We can’t help it, I sup- 
pose — but it’s a cruel blow.” 

‘‘ There’s many a break in a long airplane voy- 
age anywhere,” he consoled himself, and I 
think the chances for accidents in the Arctic are 
about trebled. I don’t wish our rivals any fatal 
catastrophe, but a little tough luck — say a wing 
demolished; or an engine burned out — might 
not be so much to my displeasure.” 

The days that followed were spent in various 
ways. Hunting seals and polar bears was some- 
thing of an out-the-way pleasure for sea- 
faring men. Then there were checkers and 
cards, besides the daily guess as to their position 
at noon. 

Strangely enough, for once in the history of 
Arctic currents, they found themselves being car- 
ried where they wanted to go, in a direct line for 
Point On-na-tak, and during the entire four days 
and a half there was hardly a point’s deviation 
from the course. On the evening of the fourth, 
day, Dave thought he sighted land, and the mid- 
night watch reported definitely that there was 


A Strange People 


131 


land to the port bow ; two points, one more easily 
discerned than the other. This news brought 
the whole crew on deck. And for two hours 
there was wild speculation as to the nature of 
the country ahead of them ; the possibility of in- 
habitants and their treatment of strangers. 
Azazruk, the Eskimo, thought that he had heard 
from an old man of his tribe that the point was 
inhabited by a people who spoke a different lan- 
guage from that spoken by the Chukches of 
East Cape and Whaling, on the Russian side of 
Behring Strait. But of this he could not be 
sure. If the old engineer knew anything of these 
shores other than the facts he had already stated 
concerning wood and coal, he did not venture to 
say. And no one asked. 

So they drifted on until the bleak, snow-capped 
peaks showed plainly. Morning revealed a bay 
lying between the two points. Toward the en- 
trance to this bay they were drifting. One ob- 
stacle remained between them and land. A half 
mile of the floe in which they were drifting lay 
between them and the black stretch of open water 


132 


Lost in the Air 


which extended to the edge of the solid shore 
ice, upon which the submarine might be dragged 
and over which the shaft might be carried to 
land. But how was that stretch of tumbled ice- 
floe to be crossed? This, indeed, was a problem. 

It was finally decided that Dave and the old 
engineer should spend the forenoon exploring 
the ice to landward for a possible narrow chan- 
nel that would open a way to the water beyond. 
For this journey they took only field-glasses, 
alpine staffs and a lunch in a sealskin sack. Had 
they known better the nature of the land they 
were about to visit, they might have gone more 
fully equipped. 

‘‘HT don’t mind tell’ y’, lad, that we was 
’eaded for this point way back some’ers in the 
late nineties,” said the engineer, but there come 
a Nor’wester, an’ the cap’in, ’e lost ’is ’ead and 
turned to run. We’d froze in for the winter, 
but we’d a seen things if we ’ad. We’d a seen 
’um.” 

They were struggling over some pressure 
ridges and neither had breath to spare for fur- 


A Strange People 133 

ther talk just then. But presently, as they 
paused on a high ridge of ice for a survey of 
their surroundings, Jarvis said: 

H'l said back there they might be coal in the 
banks. There is, an’ other minerals there are 
’ere, too. H’it’s a rich land, an’ now we’re ’ere 
we’d make our fortunes if that daffy doctor 
wasn’t ’eaded straight fer the Pole, an’ nobody 
’ere to stop ’im.” 

“ What do you make of it? ” Dave, who had 
been studying the shore with the glass, handed 
it to Jarvis : Do you see something like a 

village ? ” 

'' Sure I do ! ” exclaimed the other excitedly. 

Sure, there’s a village, a ’ole ’eap of bloomin’ 
’eathen live up ’ere, h’only they hain’t dull and 
stupid like them down below.” 

'' It’s a strange-looking village.” 

Sure, it is. Made all of reindeer skins and 
walrus pelts. Sure it’s different. Them natives 
up ’ere ’ave got reindeer, ’erds and ’erds of ’em.” 

I suppose they’ve got walrus ivory, too,” 
said Dave, warming to the subject. 


134 


Lost in the Air 


Ho, yes, walrus h’lvory a-plenty, them 
’eathen ’ave got. But walrus h’ivory hain’t so 
much. Too ’eavy to make a good cargo, an’ 
not ’alf so good as h’elephant h’ivory. But 
there’s minerals, ’eaps of minerals, an’ we’d all 
be rich men an’ it wasn’t for the bloomin’ 
doctor.” 

No channel to the shore having appeared, 
they were now making their way along the edge 
of the open water. Suddenly the old engineer 
started : 

Did you see ’im? ” he whispered. 

“What? Where?” Dave stared at the old 
man, thinking he had suddenly lost his head. 

“ H’it was a man. ’E popped ’is ’ead out, 
then beat it. One o’ them bloomin’ ’eathens.” 

“ Probably we’d better turn back.” 

“ Huh ! ” sniffed the old man. ’Oo cares for 
the bloomin’ ’eathen? ’Armless they is, ’armless 
as babies.” 

They continued their travel, but the old man 
seemed distinctly uneasy. He saw heads here 
and there. And soon, Dave, who did not have 


135 


A Strange People 

the trained eye of the seaman, saw one also. At 
once he decided that they must turn back to the 
submarine. 

Hardly had they taken this course, when heads 
seemed to be peering out at them from every ice- 
pile. It was when they were crossing a broad, 
flat pan that matters came to a crisis. Suddenly 
brown, fur-clad figures emerged from the piles 
at the edge of the pan and approached them. 
Their soft, rawhide boots made no sound on the 
ice. Their lips were ominously silent. There 
was a sinister gleam to the spears which they 
bore. 

Half-way to the men, at a sign from the 
leader, they all paused. Then a little knot gath- 
ered about the leader. Three men did the 
greater part of the talking. They appeared to 
be urging the leader to action. 

Dave, who knew that the old seaman was 
acquainted with several native dialects, said : 

'' What do you make of it? ’’ 

Can’t get ’em straight,” said Jarvis. '' But 
them three ’eathen that’s talkin’ loudest, them’s 


136 


Lost in the Air 


’eathen from another tribe ^er somethin’. 
They’re not the right color. Their eyes hain’t 
right an’ they don’t speak the language right. I 
think they got it in their ’eads that we h’ought 
ter be pinched fer trespassin’ ’er somethin’ the 
like. But we’ll fight the bloomin’ ’eathen, we 
will, h’if they start a bloomin’ rumpus.” 

‘‘What with?” smiled Dave. 

The old seaman looked nonplused for a 
moment. 

‘‘ Ho, well,” he grinned, then. Can’t be any 
’arm in goin’ with the bloomin’ idgits a piece, 
h’if they request it.” 

The horde of natives did, at last, request it in 
a rather forceful and threatening way. The 
three men, whom Jarvis had singled out as 
‘‘ ’eathen from another tribe,” became so insult- 
ing that Dave could scarcely restrain Jarvis from 
braining their leader on the spot. 

They were led to the edge of the ice-floe 
where, hidden in a remote corner, was an 
oomiak, a native boat of skins. 

From here they were quickly paddled over to 


137 


A Strange People 

the shore. They were then led up a steep bank, 
down a streeP lined with innumerable dome- 
like houses covered with walrus-skin, and were 
finally dragged into the largest of these houses 
and rudely thrust into an inner room. The door 
slammed, and Jarvis laughed. 

Humph ! he chuckled. '' Fancy putting a 
man in a bloomin’ jail made of deer skin. Much 
’ead as the bloomin’ ’eathen ’ave. Let’s ’ave a' 
look at ’er.” 

He scratched a match and the look of aston- 
ishment * that Dave found on his face, as he 
stared about the inclosure, caused him to laugh, 
in spite of their dilemma. 

H’ivory, walrus h’ivory! Walls, floor and 
ceilin’ all h’ivory. Who’d ever thought of that! ” 
muttered the old seaman. Wood’ll burn and 
iron’ll rust; but h’ivory! h’ivory! Who’d ever 
thought of that for a prison? ” 


CHAPTER VIII 


THE WALRUS HUNT 

Meanwhile, on the ice-locked shores of Great 
Bear Lake, preparations for departure were be- 
ing made by the airplane party. The gasoline 
must all be strained through a chamois-skin to 
insure them against water in the engines, and 
this, with the temperature at thirty to forty be- 
low, was no mean task. There was a careful 
selection of foodstuffs to be taken along. It 
was decided also that the five dogs should go, 
for they would provide transportation, in case of 
accident, and could be killed and eaten as a last 
resort. The entire equipment was given a thor- 
ough overhauling. All this took three days of 
arduous toil. 

When, at last, all was in readiness, and the 
earth began to drop away beneath them, the dogs 
put their noses in the air and chorused a canine 
138 


The Walrus Hunt 


139 


Arctic dirge. But their howls were lost in the 
noise of the engines. 

As for the boys, their cheeks burned. Truly, 
this was to be their greatest adventure — “ An 
adventure quite worthy the heart of a true sol- 
dier,” as the Major had expressed it. Many 
problems they left behind unsolved, but these 
were quite crowded out of their minds by the 
one supreme problem: Would they reach the 
Pole, and would they reach it first? 

Somewhere on the shores of Melville Bay, 
near the banks of Melville Island, frozen in the 
ice for the winter, was the little gasoline 
schooner which had engaged to furnish them 
fuel for the last lap of the journey north and the 
return. The gas would cost a pretty penny, to 
be sure, for it would compel the trader to return 
to Nome earlier than he had intended doing, but 
money seemed no object to the zealous explorer. 

Setting their course a little east of north, they 
shot directly away. Bruce, who was driving, 
settled back easily in his place. The machine 
was soaring beautifully. The engines worked in 


140 Lost in the Air 

perfect time. Everything promised a safe and 
speedy trip. Now and again a belated flock of 
snow-geese, as if drawn by an invisible thread, 
shot by them; and now, far below, they caught 
sight of moving brown specks, which told of 
caribou still passing southward from the sum- 
mer pasture in the unexplored lands far to the 
North. The fleeting panorama was of constantly 
changing interest and beauty. 

Soon they left the land behind. They were 
passing over Prince Albert Sound. Its surface 
was already white with ice. Land again, then 
Melville Sound — last lap on this three hundred 
mile journey. Bruce found himself unable to be- 
lieve they were over a great body of salt water. 
Surely these squares, rising from the surface, 
white and glistening in the moonlight, were vil- 
lage roofs covered with snow. Surely, these 
other squares lying flat upon the surface were 
town lots, and the broader ones stretches of 
field and meadow, where grain would ripen in 
summer and flowers bloom. And the spots of 
open water, made black by the whiteness about 


The Walrus Hunt 


141 


them, were fishing-ponds where one might lazily 
dip his line and dream. 

But as he shook himself back into reality, a 
startling question had come to him. His lips put 
it in words. 

How are we going to tell that schooner when 
we see it?” he barked through the Major’s 
telephone. ‘‘Won’t she be buried in snow?” 

“ Probably will,” admitted the Major, “ but 
there’s sure to be a native village near by, and 
though their houses are built of snow, they 
always have a litter of black things about — 
sleds, hunting implements, skins, and the like. 
We can’t miss it.” 

“ Natives. M-m-m,” Bruce mumbled. “ Nag- 
yuktogmiut, or something like that. Hope the 
white man happens to be about when we land. 
I’ve read Stefansson’s account of them. They 
treated him all right, but when old Thunder- 
bird, his own self, brings them some white men, 
they may not be so glad to see them, and those 
chaps have copper-pointed spears and arrows, 
not to speak of rifles.” 


142 


Lost in the Air 


' The Indians didnh bother us/^ phoned back 
the Major. 

That’s right. Well, I hope this is our lucky 
day.” Bruce again gave his whole attention to 
driving. Then, as they made out in the distance 
some high elevations, that might be land or 
might be clouds, he dropped to a lower level and 
scanned the surface of the ice for a black spot 
which would tell of human habitations. The 
village, he knew, might be fifty miles from land, 
for these Eskimos lived on the ocean’s roof dur- 
ing the entire winter and hunted seal and great- 
seal, moving only now and again when game 
became scarce. 

There they are, over to the right,” he 
exclaimed presently. He set his m.achine in the 
general direction indicated. Soon a black patch 
began to appear among the lights and shadows. 
Surely here was the village they sought. The 
realization set his heart thumping violently. 

Drop in close and look for a landing.” 

The Major twisted in his seat and scanned the 
ice narrowly as he spoke. Just beyond them 


The Walrus Hunt 143 

seems to be a broad flat pan. Looks safe. 
Try it.’’ 

Bruce cut off his engines and began circling 
down. It was the dead of night. Apparently 
every person about the village was asleep. Now 
he could distinguish sleds and skins hung on ice- 
piles to dry. Now he located the double rows 
of dome houses. They were going to pass right 
over these, but high enough to miss them. 

Then, rapidly, things happened. A vagrant 
current of wind seized them and they '' bumped ” 
in air. The next instant it was evident that a 
crash was inevitable. They were swooping 
straight down upon a row of snow-domes. But 
the machine was heavy, the snow-houses, mere 
shells, without the sign of a shock, yielding to 
the compact, went spinning away in little bits, 
revealing scores of sleepers snug beneath their 
deerskins. They had awakened Bedlam. Men 
shouted, women and children screamed, dogs 
barked. 

'' Like knocking over a bee-hive,” chuckled 
Barney. 


144 


Lost m the Air 


Bruce, with a remarkably cool head, brought 
his machine to the smooth surface beyond. In 
a moment she was slowing up to a perfect land- 
ing. 

Quick ! The machine-gun ! ’’ exclaimed 
Barney. 

Bruce gave one startled look behind them, 
then began working feverishly. Already Barney 
and the Major were unstrapping themselves. 

Across the ice in the vague moonlight a motley 
throng, a hundred strong, was charging down 
upon them. Half-naked, their brown arms 
gleaming, they seemed the inhabitants of some 
South Sea isle rather than Eskimos of the 
Farthest North. Copper-pointed spears gleamed 
yellow and gold, while here and there the dark 
barrel of a hunting rifle was to be seen. 

Go slow,’’ warned the Major. Remember 
it’s men, women and children instead of wolves 
this time. They’re wild, but they’re human. 
Send a volley into the ice-piles at the left. Show 
’em what you’ve got and they’ll stop — perhaps.’^ 

As Bruce turned the barrel of his deadly 


The Walrus Runt 


145 


weapon, he caught the low rumble of many 
voices. The natives were chanting a witching 
song to destroy the power of evil spirits. 

Tat-tat-tat-tat.’’ The machine-gun spoke. 
Bits of ice flew wildly. The mob halted for a 
moment, then plunged on, still chanting that 
maddening song. 

Just at the moment when a massacre seemed 
inevitable, there came a roar from the right. 
Turning, Bruce saw the form of a bearded man 
apparently rising from a hole in a giant ice- 
cake. At the sound the wild mob halted. 

Hey! You fellows! ” the stranger bellowed. 
'' Whaf s the matter with you?” Then he 
turned to the natives and began to harangue 
them in a tongue quite unknown even to the 
Major. 

The instant Bruce saw the red-whiskered giant 
rise, seemingly from the ocean, his hand relaxed 
on the machine-gun and he stood in ready 
expectation. The Eskimos appeared to under- 
stand the words which the stranger flung at 
them, for, though they continued their weird 


/ 


146 


Lost in the Air 


incantation, they lowered their weapons and did 
not attempt to approach nearer the white men. 

Presently their weapons began clattering to 
the ice. Taking this as a sign of friendliness, 
the explorers stepped out to meet them. Seeing 
this, the natives gathered into a compact group, 
their song rising to a wild humming howl, but 
they made no move to attack. When the 
strangers were quite close, one native, braver 
than his companions, stepped forward. Still 
chanting, he handed each explorer a small cube 
of whale blubber. One cube remained in his own 
hand. This he proceeded to swallow, indicating 
at the same time that the strangers were to 
follow his example. 

The moment the cubes disappeared the wild 
chorus ceased and the natives crowded forward 
to extend a hearty welcome. 

It was, however, a very long time before one 
of them was persuaded to come near the air- 
plane. 

I haven’t a doubt,” said the Major, that 
they still believe that we rode here on the back of 


The Walrus Hunt 


147 


old Thunder-bird himself. And why not? If we 
can build schooners many times as large as their 
largest skin-boats and run them by noise alone, 
if we can kill at a distance by a magic of great 
noises, why couldn’t we tame the Thunder-bird 
himself and make him carry us? It is my firm 
conviction that if one of us were to, return here 
in a year or two, he would hear the most out- 
landish tales of the Kabluna who rode the 
Thunder-bird.” 

The natives had returned to their camp to 
dress and to repair the damage done by the 
airplane. The white men were approaching 
what appeared to be the den of the bearded 
stranger, when the Major gave a cry of joy: 

Masts ! Boys, we have finished the first 
lap of our journey. The den of the stranger is 
the cabin to his schooner. He is the trader who 
is to furnish us gasoline I ” 

The Major’s surmise proved to be correct, and 
they were soon sitting happily around a rough 
galley table, sipping at steaming “mulligan’^ — 
a rich Arctic stew — and coffee. 


148 


Lost in the Air 


And now,” said the Major, for a few hours 
of sleep. After that your time is your own for 
twelve hours.” 

‘^Twelve hours!” exclaimed Bruce in sur- 
prise. “ Don’t we start for the Pole at once? ” 
Young gentlemen,” said the Major smiling, 
^‘your enthusiasm is gratifying in the extreme. 
But flying, especially in high latitudes, is very 
trying on the nerves — even such nerves as 
yours. Remember that in the Arctic, where any- 
thing at all is liable to Happen at a moment’s 
notice, we must always be at our best. So get 
some relaxation. What will you do with your 
twelve hours ? ” 

I heard a walrus barking a half-hour ago 1 ” 
exclaimed Barney eagerly. 

^^I’m for a walrus hunt,” agreed Bruce 

‘^Good! That will stretch your legs a bit,” 
said the Major. But don’t go too far, nor take 
too many chances. Remember you have a mis- 
sion to accomplish here in the North.” 

The three adventurers were soon sleeping 
soundly in the bunks of the Gussie Brown, 


The Walrus Hunt 


149 


and far away, bobbing his head through a v/ater- 
hole and shaking the icicles from his moustache, 
a great bull-walrus barked at the moon. 

When they awoke from dreamless slumber, 
the boys^ first thought was of the promised 
walrus hunt. They scrambled into their fur 
garments, and hurrying to the surface of the 
floe, listened for the hoarse call of their quarry, 
the walrus. They did not have to wait long. 

There he barks!'’ exclaimed Bruce, putting 
his hand to his ear. 

And again." Barney hurried below to secure 
a native harpoon and skin-rope. Bruce provided 
himself with a high-power magazine rifle. 

We're off 1 " Barney shouted joyously to the 
Major, as he gulped down a cup of steaming 
coffee and took a last bite of sour-dough bread. 

“Good luck! And may you come back!" 
bantered the Major. Had he known how real 
was his jesting prophecy of danger, he would 
not have joked. 

As a rule, walrus-hunting in the Arctic is not 
a sport, it is a task — the day's worjc of provid- 


150 


Lost in the Air 


ing food for a village. It is as exciting as the 

hog-killing day of a middle-west farmer. 
The hog may run amuck of the farmer, and so 
may the walrus of the hunter; the chances are 
about equal. The walrus seldom shows fight. 
Before he is harpooned, he either is quite indif- 
ferent to the presence of the hunter, or slips 
away to the water at sight of him. If harpooned, 
he makes every effort to escape, and only in rare 
instances shows fight. The boys had been told 
all this by the trader over their coffee the night 
before. 

It was evident, then, that they must slip up 
on their prey without being seen. This would 
be a comparatively simple matter, since the 
tumbled ridges of ice afforded ideal hiding- 
places. When close enough, Barney, who was 
the stronger of the two, was to drive the 
harpoon-point through the thick skin of the 
creature. This harpoon-point was fastened to a 
rawhide rope. He must instantly drive a cop- 
per-pointed lance into the ice, and wrapping the 
skin-rope about it, close to the ice-surface, hold 


The Walrus Hunt 


151 


on like grim death until Bruce dispatched the 
creature with his rifle. Wherever the beast was, 
in a small water-hole kept opened by himself, or 
a larger one formed by the shifting floes, their 
success would depend on Barney’s ability to keep 
the rope free from jagged edges which might 
cut it, and Bruce’s skill at quickly getting in a 
fatal shot. At regular intervals the walrus must 
rise for air, and this would give the opportunity 
for Bruce to get in his work. 

He’s a moose ! ” whispered Bruce, as they 
crept close to the rather broad water-hole and 
eyed the creature through a crack between up- 
ended ice-cakes. 

Tusks two feet and a half long! Must 
weigh a ton and a half 1 ” Already Barney felt 
his muscles ache from the strain. 

Well, here’s for it! ” He exclaimed, coiling 
his skin-rope. The next instant there came a 
loud thwack, which told that the boy’s shaft had 
found its mark. Instantly there was a hoarse 
bellow and then a wild splashing in the water. 
Bruce was at the top of a pressure ridge, ready 


152 


Lost in the Air 


for action. Barney had made his shaft secure, 
but then there came a strain that made the veins 
stand out on his forehead. Suddenly the strain 
slackened. 

Be ready ! He’s coming — ” Barney did 
not finish, for from the churning water the 
walrus thrust his massive head, snorting and 
foaming. The rifle cracked. 

Silently the great creature sank, but this time 
the foaming water showed a fleck of red where 
the walrus disappeared. 

Got him r’ cried Bruce triumphantly. 

But this time the strain on the lance was 
redoubled. 

''Try — try to hit a vital — vital spot,” panted 
Barney, as the strain lessened once more. 
" Behind front flipper — in the eye.” 

Again the water foamed. Again the rifle 
cracked. More blood! Another plunge, and 
again the strain seemed redoubled. 

"I — can’t — hold much — longer,” Barney 
gasped. 

Springing down from the pinnacle, Bruce ran 


The Walrus Hunt 153 

to the edge of the pool, and, leaping upon a 
floating ice-cake, waited again. 

This time his aim was better. 

The strain when the walrus sank was not so 
great. 

Doing fine,” breathed Barney. Next time 
wefll — ” 

Again he did not finish, for, unexpectedly, his 
friend shot up in the air, to fall sprawling upon 
the cake of ice and cling there while it tilted 
to an angle of forty-five degrees. The walrus 
had risen beneath the cake and split it in two. 
Bruce was stunned by his fall, but Barney’s 
warning cry roused him. One glance revealed 
his perilous position. The piece of ice to which 
he clung had been thrust toward the center of 
the pool. Even now the gap was too wide for 
him to leap. To plunge into the water, with the 
thermometer forty below, was to court death. 

While he hesitated, the walrus rose to the 
surface. With a bellow that sprayed bloody 
foam about him, he charged the cake of ice. 
If ever there was need for a cool brain, it was 


154 


Lost in the Air 


now. Bruce, gripping his rifle, crouched and 
waited. Reaching the cake, the walrus hooked 
his tusks over its edge till it tilted to a perilous 
angle. Bruce’s feet shot from under him, but by 
a quick movement he caught the upper edge of 
the ice. Pulling himself up till he could brace 
his feet, he took steady aim at the beast’s wild 
and bloodshot eye. It was a perfect shot. The 
walrus, crumpling, began to sink into the water. 
Seeing this, Bruce clung to the cake until the 
tusk slipped off. In another moment the un- 
certain raft was at rest. 

'' Well, we got him,” he panted, sitting limply 
on the ice. But for mine in the future, give 
me the cozy dangers of aviation. I don’t see 
much relaxation in this game.” 

The ice-cake soon drifted so that Bruce could 
jump ashore. With their combined efforts the 
boys were able to draw the dead walrus close in 
and tie him securely to the ice edge. Then they 
returned to camp to send a happy band of 
natives out for the meat and blubber. 

That head will make a fine trophy to hang 


The Walrus Hunt 


155 


in the front parlor of that five-room bungalow/’ 
laughed Barney, as a native brought it in that 
night. 

You may have it for your den/’ said Bruce 
with a shiver. I never want to look a walrus 
in the face again.” 

'‘To-morrow,” said the Major, 'as they pre- 
pared to retire, " the race will be resumed.” 


CHAPTER IX 


FIGHTING THEIR WAY OUT 

A careful examination of their ivory jail ’’ 
showed Dave and the submarine engineer that 
they were in a narrow chamber completely lined 
with walrus tusks. The tusks had been so 
ingeniously cut and fitted that only the grain 
of the glistening surface told where one tusk 
joined another. As for the door, so closely was 
it fitted that it was not to be located at all. In 
two corners were seal-oil lamps. These had 
feed-pipes of some form of dried sea-weeds. 
They could thus be fed from without. Two 
narrow openings, strongly barred with ivory 
tusks, one in the floor and one in the ceiling, 
permitted air to enter, but one peered through 
them into utter darkness. 

'' Tain’t no wonder they left us our knives,’’ 
grumbled Jarvis. The bloomin’ ’eathen knowed 
156 


Fighting Their Way Out 157, 

we’d wear ’em away before we made any 
h’impression on that ivory. But mind you, lad, 
this hain’t the work of no bloomin’ ’eathen — 
not no regular ’eathen it hain’t. ’E hain’t smart 
enough for that, your regular ’eathen hain’t. 
’Twas some one else, it was. Shouldn’t be sur- 
prised if it was them three strangers.” 

As for Dave, he was worried less about him- 
self than about his companions out in the bay. 
Knowing the growing impatience of the Doctor, 
he was prepared to expect him to attempt any- 
thing in case of their prolonged absence. Should 
he try to submerge the craft to bring her to 
land under 'the ice, it was an even chance every 
one on board would perish miserably — caught 
in the sunken sub.” 

That he and Jarvis might be kept prisoners 
indefinitely seemed certain, for after some five 
or six hours, food was thrust in to them and 
they were left, apparently for the night. The 
food consisted of boiled fish and liver, probably 
walrus liver, soaked in rank seal oil. They ate 
a little fish and thrust the liver through the open- 


158 Lost in the Air 

ing in the floor, the better to escape its nauseat- 
ing odor. 

‘‘H’I’d die before h’Fd h^eat hs bloomin’ 
victuals,” snarled Jarvis contemptuously, that 
bloomin’ ’eathen ! ” 

He began poking about the narrow confines of 
the jail. Not being able to see to suit himself, 
he struck a match and touched it to the mass, 
placed on the edge of a brimming seal-oil lamp, 
in lieu of a wick. Immediately a line of fire was 
kindled and its light, reflected again and again 
by the dazzling whiteness of their prison walls, 
made the whole place as light as day. At once 
Jarvis gave a cry of surprise and began crawling 
toward the farthest side. 

H’l told you there was minerals,” he 
exclaimed. E’s a rich un, this bloomin’ ’eathen. 
H’it’s gold, h’ni be blowed!” 

He began digging away with his knife at some 
yellow spots in the ivory. They were bits of 
inlaid gold. 

“ What’s the idea?” asked Dave in surprise. 
“ Are all prisons up here made of ivory inlaid 


159 


Fighting Their Way Out 

with gold? 

Y’ can’t tell, lad. ’E’s a queer one, the 
bloomin’ ’eathen, and if h’l be ’anged,” sput- 
tered Jarvis, what’s one pole more or less, 
when you’ve gold calling to come and take it. 
What — ” 

He paused, his mouth agape, words unsaid. 
The door of the ivory den had been softly 
opened, and framed in it were the dark. Crafty 
faces of the three natives who had brought about 
their captivity and imprisonment. In their hands 
gleamed knives with long blades of a curious 
oriental type. 

But we must return to the Doctor and his 
crew of gobs who had been left on the sub- 
marine. 

When the young captain and his chief 
engineer did not return at sunset, deep concern 
for their safety was felt. Three searching 
parties were sent out, while, from time to time, 
flares were lighted to show them the way to the 
submarine, should they chance to have lost their 


160 


Lost in the Air 


directions on the ice-floe. The flares guided the 
searching parties back to the boat, but so far as 
finding trace of the missing ones was concerned, 
neither flares nor searchers were of any avail. 

In the meantime, the Doctor paced the deck 
anxiously. They were losing valuable time. If 
only they could find a way to shore, the damaged 
shaft might be repaired and, during the interval, 
the captain and engineer would doubtless 
turn up. 

At the first hint of dawn the watch discovered 
a lead half-way through the ice-floe. At once 
the Doctor ordered the submarine run into this 
narrow channel. The result was what might 
have been expected; the ice closed in and the 
sub was locked in the center of the floe. 
There remained but one way it could move — 
down, under the ice. Otherwise, it might drift 
indefinitely in this solid mass of ice. They would 
be carried away from the bay, away from their 
friends, and all hope of rescuing them would be 
lost. It was, indeed, a terrible plight. 

Just at this time a bright young gob, Tom 


161 


Fighting Their Way Out 

Rainey, came forward with an ingenious scheme. 
The “'sub ” carried a sufficient length of steel 
cable to reach to the farther edge of the ice- 
floe. “ Why,’’ he reasoned, “ might they not 
pole this cable beneath the rather loosely- joined 
ice masses until they reached the open, water, 
then submerge the submarine and, with a 
capstan, drag it like a hooked trout to the 
channel. It was a wild scheme, but the doctor 
was in a mood for anything. The crew were 
set to work at once, cutting holes in the ice-floes 
here and there and passing the cable from open- 
ing to opening. It was slow and freezing work, 
but in time the job was done. 

When the cable was ready, the Doctor insisted 
that a sufficient crew be aboard the submarine 
when she submerged to man her in case she 
broke loose. This was, indeed, a hazardous 
mission, but volunteers were not lacking. And, 
with all speed, the trial was made. 

The scheme worked better than they had dared 
to hope. When the “ sub ” passed from beneath 
the ice-floe, the second engineer in his super- 


162 


Lost in the Air 


abundance of joy hazarded a few turns of the 
disabled shaft. This set the whole craft vibrat- 
ing and drove her half-way across the narrow 
channel. 

As the submarine rose to the surface the doc- 
tor saw a dark shadow pass oyer the glass win- 
dow at the top. At the same time he felt a 
slight jar. 

'' Must have tilted a small cake of ice,” he 
chuckled. 

Then, as he lifted the hatch : “ By Jove ! No, 
it wasn't. It was a skin-boat full of natives! 
There they are in the water! Watch them 
scramble back into their boat. If we had a 
safer power, we'd go to their rescue. But they'll 
be all right. Now, they're all aboard." 

That the natives were in a frenzy of fear 
while in the water, the doctor attributed to their 
dread of attack by a walrus. But when they 
began paddling away at top speed, he opened his 
eyes in wonder. 

Ah, well ! " he said, at last, who’d marvel 
at that? Ships are not in the habit of coming 


163 


Fighting Their Way Out 

up out of the sea in the Arctic. And now I 
wonder — I just wonder, did they have anything 
to do with the disappearance of our friend Dave 
and the engineer ? ’’ 

When all hands were on board lunch was 
served. By the time this was over the sub- 
marine had drifted to the solid shore-ice. She 
was at once tied up with the aid of ice-anchors, 
and preparations made for dragging her out of 
the water. 

But first,” said the Doctor, let us visit 
our friends, ‘the bloomin’ ’eathen,’ as Jarvis 
styles them.” 

It was a strange sight that met their gaze as 
they entered the village. Men, women and 
children, with a wild wail, threw themselves flat 
on their stomachs, uttering the most melancholy 
moans that ever came from human lips. Inter- 
spersed with the cries were apparent appeals 
addressed to the visitors. 

“What’s all this rumpus?” the Doctor 
demanded of Azazruk, the Eskimo. “ Can you 
understand their jargon?” 


Lost in the Air 


164 

They say/’ said the Eskimo, showing his 
white teeth in a grin, that they know we are 
spirits — spirits of dead whales, since we come 
out of a whale’s back, that came up from under 
the sea. They say not kill them us please. They 
say this that one. They say, kill plenty whale 
that one chief native. They say, fire for spirit 
of dead whale not make that, them. They say 
that, this one native. But they say not kill them 
and for sure they make fire, sing song for spirit 
of dead whale.” 

The Doctor, who understood this to be one 
of the superstitions of the natives, and knew 
that they had taken the submarine for a whale, 
began to laugh. But at once he checked himself. 

Turning a scowling face at the only two stand- 
ing natives, one of whom had a fresh cut across 
his cheek, he stormed: 

''And why have these fellows no shame? 
Tell them to fall down at once, or I will step 
on them.” 

Azazruk repeated the message, and, surprised 
and frightened, the two men obeyed. 


165 


Fighting Their Way Out 

The Doctor eyed the two curiously for a 
moment as they lay there squinting up at him, 
their slant eyes gleaming with suppressed anger. 

‘‘ Look like they’d been in a fight,” he 
remarked. 

And so they did. The darker of the two had 
the cut on his cheek, before mentioned, his fur 
parka was torn half off him, displaying some 
ugly bruises. His companion had lost half a 
sleeve and his right hand was bleeding. 

They’re surely rascals, but you must play 
the good Samaritan at all times,” he said, as he 
bent over one of them. ‘‘ Rainey, get my case 
from the locker, will you?” 

Rainey hurried to the submarine, a half mile 
away, while the natives, still half sprawling on 
the frozen earth, eyed the hardier fellows, while 
the Doctor bent over them, as if expecting at any 
moment to see them drop dead as a result of the 
magic power of these great spirits from the 
belly of a whale. 

It was Jarvis and Dave who were responsible 
for the condition of the two natives of the 


166 


Lost in the Air 


strange bearing. When Jarvis saw their ugly 
faces and gleaming knives at the door of the 
ivory prison he was ready for a fight. His face 
turned purple, as he muttered between clinched 
teeth : 

H’it’s our chance. ’Ere's where h’l make a 
'killin’. At ’em Dave ! ” 

And, led by his sturdy engineer, Dave hove 
at them right royally. 

Their knives were short but their arms long, 
and as for skill, there were no better trained 
men in the army than Dave and Jarvis. 

They made quick work of it. The bloomin’ 
’eathen,” surprised by the sudden onslaught, 
were on their backs in a trice. Two of them 
fared as I have said, and as for the third, he 
came out with a head so badly pummeled by 
Jarvis’ fist that he was content to crawl into 
a dark igloo and stay there. 

Once outside the prison Jarvis and Dave 
glanced quickly about them for a hiding-place. 
Much to their surprise, they did not see a native 
about the village. Made bold by this, they 


167 


Fighting Their Way Out 

skirted the rear of the last row of huts, and, 
dodging down a snowed-in ravine, hid at last 
in the ice-heaps not twenty rods from the sub- 
marine. Not being aware, however, that their 
friends had succeeded in reaching the shore- 
ice, they crouched in their icy shelter, their teeth 
chattering from cold and excitement. 

Jarvis had an ugly slash on his right arm. 
Dave had just succeeded in binding this up when 
they heard footsteps approaching. Jamming 
themselves hard into a crevice of ice, Jarvis 
whispered : 

H’I’ll fight f a finish before h’l go back to 
that white prison of the bloomin’ ’eathen.” 

Dave made no response. 

The steps came nearer, then began to die 
away. 

Didn’t sound like the bloomin’ ’eathen,” 
muttered Jarvis. “ No near’s soft and glidin’. 
’Ere ’e comes back. H’I’ll ’ave a look.” 

Creeping close to a corner, he peered cau- 
tiously out, then with a roar : 

''Blime me, it’s Rainey!” He sprang from 


168 Lost in the Air 

concealment, almost embracing the young gob in 
his delight. 

It was a joyful meeting that took place 
betw^een the united parties. 

When Jarvis saw the Doctor working over the 
disabled natives he roared first with laughter, 
then with anger. His last desire was to put 
them out of the way at once. 

‘‘ For, sir,” he argued, “ them hain’t no 
natural, ordinary ’eathen, indeed not, sir. They 
are the very h’old Nick 'isself, sir.” 

But Dave suggested putting them in their own 
ivory prison, and this advice prevailed. After 
their wounds were dressed they were thrust in 
and the door barred from without. Wiser men 
than the “ sub ” crew have learned that a man 
is seldom safe in a prison of his own making, 
but the sailors never gave the prisoners another 
thought. 

Rainey,” said the engineer, as he found 
himself alone with the young gob, wee’ll all be 
rich men.” 

How ? ” asked his companion. 


Fighting Their Way Out 169 

^‘There's mineral! Mineral! Gold, me lad, 
tons of it ! ’’ The older man's wrinkled face 
caught the tints of the sunset and seemed to 
take on the hue of the metal of which he spoke. 


CHAPTER X 


TO THE TREASURE CITY 

Once all the members of the submarine party 
were reunited, their one thought was to repair 
their damaged craft as soon as possible and start 
again on their way to the Pole. Perhaps the 
engineer wasted a thought now and again on the 
supposed great mineral wealth of that peninsula, 
but if he did, he said nothing. 

The men were divided into three groups. The 
first, the mechanics, undertook the task of 
removing the shaft; the second guarded the 
craft against possible attack by the natives, while 
the third was dispatched up the beach to search 
for firewood which the mechanics must have. 

The work of the guard seemed a joke. Not 
one of the natives could be induced to approach 
the dark spirit-whale ’’ which some of their 
comrades had seen rise from the water. Even 
170 


171 


To the Treasure City 

after the steel shaft had been brought ashore as 
tangible evidence that the craft was a thing of 
metal, they could not be induced to approach it. 

The wood hunters found their task a hard one, 
for, either there never had been much driftwood 
on these shores, or the natives had used it for 
summer camp-fires. They searched far down 
the bay without finding a sufficient quantity to 
make a decent fire over which to roast ‘ hot- 
dogs’,’’ as Rainey expressed it. 

But as the engineer rounded a point, he 
suddenly exclaimed; 

There ! Ain’t h’l been sayin’ hit ! I ’ates to 
think ’ow jolly stupit som’ums of ye are.” 

He was pointing to the banks which overhung 
the sea. The men, who were looking only for 
driftwood, did not at first see the cause of his 
exclamation. 

Coal, my lads ! ” Jarvis exclaimed, half 
beside himself. Coal cropping from the bank! ” 
It was true. A careful examination showed a 
four-foot vein of soft coal. It was not long 
until reindeer sleds, secured from the natives. 


172 


Lost in the Air 


were drawing quantities of the fuel to a point 
beneath a cliff, where a crude forge had been 
made out of granite rock. 

While this work was going on, the engineer 
disappeared in the direction of the village. In 
a half-hour he came tearing back, his face red 
with rage. 

They’re h’out ! ” he sputtered. The bally, 
blitherin’, unnatural ’eathen hev flew the h’ivory 
coops. T’was to be expected. I ’ates t’ think 
what h’l’d a-done, ’ad h’l ’ad the say of it.” 

Oh, well,” said the Doctor, who was inclined 
to take Jarvis’ quarrel with the natives rather 
lightly, '' in twenty-four hours we’ll be away 
from these shores never to return.” 

“ Return? ” exclaimed Jarvis. “ H’l’ll return, 
an’ Dave ’ere’ll return. We’ll be rich men, 
we’ll be. I ’ates t’ think ’ow rich ’im an’ me’ll 
be!” 

But the Doctor was too busy hurrying the 
mechanics in their repairs to heed the words of 
the excited engineer. 

Finally the forge was ready and as by the 


173 


To the Treasure City 

Arctic moonlight a black smoke rose higher and 
higher above the cliffs, and a fire blazed a 
thousand times larger and hotter than that black 
shore had ever known, the natives appeared to 
grow more and more certain that these men who 
came up from the depths of the sea were, indeed, 
the spirits of all the dead whales that they and 
their forefathers before them had killed. They 
looked on in silent awe. 

It was with the greatest difficulty that Jarvis 
succeeded in finding one of them who was able 
to speak the Chukche language of Behring 
Strait, a language that was understood by 
Azazruk, the Eskimo. When, at last, he did find 
a man who knew Chukche and who was not too 
frightened to talk, he plied him with many 
questions. 

Who were the three strange-appearing 
natives who had attacked him and his companion 
in the jail? Where did they come from? What 
were they doing here? How did they happen to 
have such a strange jail? How did they chance 
to have a jail at all? Where did the gold come 


174 


Lost in the Air 


from that had been used to inlay the ivory? 
Was there much of it to be found?’’ 

These, and many other questions, the engineer 
put to the trembling native, while, with one eye, 
he watched the operations of the mechanics who 
labored by the fire. 

The man did not know the exact place from 
which the three strangers had come; it was 
somewhere far South, known as Ki-yek-tuk. 
The three had been a long time in the village 
and had inspired all the people with a great 
dread by telling them of a giant race who wore 
fierce beards like the walrus; who killed with a 
great noise at long distances, and who would 
break any jail except one of ivory. They had 
said that probably one or two of these fierce men 
would come at first, and, perhaps, if these, were 
made prisoners, no others would follow. Hence 
the jail. And hence, too, the imprisonment of 
Dave and Jarvis. The natives had felt sure 
that they were the advance guard of these 
wicked, cruel men who had come to rob and 
kill. But now, of course, they knew they were 


To the Treasure City 175 

spirits of dead whales, and would do them no 
harm. 

As for the tusks with the inlaid gold, the man 
said they had been traded for by a very old 
man who had made a journey with a reindeer, 
ten nights and days from their village, due west. 
There, beside a great river, he had found a 
numerous people, who lived in houses of logs, 
very large and warm. He said, too, that these 
people had great quantities of this yellow metal. 
Their houses were decorated with it; their fur 
garments glistened with it; their council house 
was encrusted with it. 

But,'’ he added at the end, the metal was 
too' soft for spear points and arrowheads, too 
heavy for garments, and not good for food. As 
for houses, did they not have their deerskins 
and walrus-pelts? So the old man never went 
back for more.” 

Dave had been sitting by the old engineer as 
he secured this information bit by bit through 
the interpreter. His eyes sparkled with excite- 
ment when he spoke. 


176 


Lost in the Air 


Well/’ he asked, when the native had fin- 
ished, ‘'what do you make of it?” 

“ Make of it ? ” exclaimed the old man. 
“ It’s plain as the nose on your face. H’as 
h’l see it, there’s gold in this land just h’as 
h’l said before, plenty of it. H’and this ’ere 
tribe, way west there some’ers ; they’s been 
driven there by the Roosians, er by other tribes. 
Mayhaps they’s Roosian h’exiles themselves. 
Mayhaps they’s one of the seven lost tribes of 
h’Israel, what you read of in the Book. ’Owever 
that may be, it’s there, and h’l ’ates to think 
’ow rich you h’and h’l’d be h’if h’it wasn’t fer 
this ’ere crazy Doctor’s achin’ to see th’ Pole.” 

“ Jarvis,” Dave leaned forward eagerly, 
“we’ll take the Doctor to the Pole, then we’ll 
hire a submarine or a schooner and work our 
way back here.” 

“ We will that, me lad,” said the old man, grip- 
ping the boy’s hand. “ But then,” he added more 
soberly, “ maybe it won’t be a bit o’ use. May- 
be the Japs will get it first.” 

“ The Japs.” 


177 


To the Treasure City 

^‘Sure! The Japs. Ar' ye that blind? Don’t 
ye know all the time the three rascals we well- 
nigh killed was Japs? Can’t ye see ’ow they 
don’t want the h’ Americans or th’ Roosians to 
git t’ the treasure of this peninsula? Can’t ye 
see ’ow bloomin’ easy h’it’d be for ’em to put two 
or three spies in h’every bloomin’ native village 
on the whole Roosian coast, and take the entire 
peninsula fer th’ Jap Kaiser, or whatever they 
call ’im? Can’t ye see ’ow th’ thing’d work?” 

Dave sat a long time in thought. At last he 
decided what to do. 

Perhaps you’re right, Jarvis,” he said finally, 
rising. But our first job is the Pole. The 
shaft must be nearly fitted by now. Let’s see 
how they’re coming. Perhaps we’ll be away in 
the morning.” 

As they rounded a block of ice by the shore, 
Jarvis gave a start and seized his companion by 
the arm. 

"‘D’y’ see ’im?” he whispered. was 

starin’ h’at us from behint them ice-piles. ’E 
was a Jap. I’ll swear it.” 


178 


Lost in the Air 


Aw, you’re seeing Japs to-night,” laughed 
Dave. 

Ow is she?” Jarvis asked of a gob whom 
they met. 

Right as they make ’em — now. But I’ll 
say it was some job that. The shaft was twisted 
something awful — like a corkscrew. But it was 
some steel, that shaft, and we just het her up 
an’ twisted her straight again. The Doc said 
he guessed it would be a bit short, but when we 
got her back in place she fitted like paint. Then 
we slid the old boat back in the water and tried 
her out and she runs like a watch.” 

Grand. We’re off in the mornin’.” 

Dave and Jarvis turned to make their way 
to the submarine where a single gob, pacing the 
white ice-surface, had laughed at his job of 
watching natives who could not be induced to 
come within a half-mile of him. 

Suddenly the engineer jumped forward. 

‘‘ Did y’ see that? ” Jarvis grabbed Dave by 
the arm and urged him into a run. ’E went 
down — the guard, I saw ’im,” panted Jarvis. 


To the Treasure City 179 

‘'I saw 'im, then h’l didn't. H'it's the Japs. 
Listen ! " 

There came distinctly the sound of a dragging 
hawser. 

H'it's the Japs ; the bloomin’, bloody 
’eathen,” Jarvis panted. '' They’re h’after the 
submarine ! ” 

Dave dragged him behind an ice-covered 
boulder. 

‘"Quick!” he whispered. “If the submarine 
goes, we go with her, inside or outside, some- 
where. We’ve got to take the chance.” 

Darting from ice-pile to ice-pile, they soon 
reached the water’s edge. There lay the guard, 
unconscious, an ugly bruise on the side of his 
head. And there lay the submarine, silent and 
closed. 

“She’s off!” breathed the engineer. 

It was true. The craft already showed a line 
of dark water between her and the shore. 

Without hesitation, the old engineer sprang 
upon her deck and crouched by the conning- 
tower. Instantly Dave followed him. Their 


180 


Lost in the Air 


soft skin-boots made no sound. And, as they 
crouched there, the submarine headed for the 
channel and then toward the west. 

‘‘To the treasure city, h’ril be bound,’^ 
whispered Jarvis. 


CHAPTER XI 


A BATTLE BENEATH THE 
ARCTIC MOON 

''The Treasure City^"' 

" We’ll stick ’ere behint th’ connin’-tower,” 
the engineer explained to Dave, as the sub- 
marine, turning, put off up the dark channel 
which separated the solid shore-ice from the 
great drift of ice-floe that lay beyond. 

" If they submerge,” suggested Dave, " we’ll 
have a slim chance.” 

" H’l doubt if they understant that much,” 
mumbled the engineer between chattering teeth. 
" H’anyway, right ’ere’s where h’l stick, h’and 
once th’ bloomin’ ’eathen show a ’ead above the 
’atchway, h’l ’ates t’ think what’ll ’appen to 
im. 

" Perhaps the channel will close in and drive 
them ashore,” suggested Dave hopefully, as he 
181 


182 


Lost in the Air 


drew his mackinaw more closely about him and 
crouched nearer to the conning-tower, that he 
might avoid the cutting air and icy spray which 
reached him from the prow of the submarine. 

Mayhap,’’ mumbled the engineer, snuggling 
close. 

But the channel did not close. Also, the sub- 
marine did not submerge; it plowed straight on 
through the dark waters of the channel. 

Night passed and the pale Arctic sun revealed 
the two figures huddling, half-frozen, behind 
the conning-tower. Daylight brought little com- 
fort, serving only to remind them that they had 
no cofifee for breakfast ; indeed, had no breakfast 
at all. This set the engineer to muttering threats 
against the stranger who had stolen the sub- 
marine, and caused him for the hundredth time 
to remark: 

HT ’ates t’ think what’ll ’appen t’ ’em, once 
h’l gets me ’ands on ’em.” 

But the intruders stayed below while, slowly, 
the sun ran its brief course and then painted the 
ice-spires with shadows of deep purple. As 


Battle Beneath the Arctic Moon 183 

the night came on, the two men were forced to 
move about to keep from freezing. Tip-toeing 
along, avoiding heavy glass windows, they con- 
versed in low tones. 

We’ve been h’at h’it now goin’ h’on twenty- 
four ’ours,” murmured . Jarvis. H’it’s two 
hundred h’an’ forty miles, h’an’ h’our course u’d 
be shorter than a reindeer’s. H’if that bloomin’ 
’eathen that spoke of th’ treasure city told truth, 
h’l’m one fer believin’ we’re nearin’ th’ spot.” 

Jarvis spoke more cheerfully than he had at 
any time during the strange journey. Dave 
smiled, as he wondered whether this was due to 
the fact their walk had warmed them somewhat, 
or his rising hopes that they would at least get 
to see the fabled treasure city. 

Tell me,” Jarvis whispered, do my h’old 
h’eyes deceive me, or h’is there a line of dark 
h’over t’ th’ right of y’ ? ” His hand trembled 
as he pointed. 

Dave looked long and earnestly. The moon 
shone very brightly. The snow brought out 
dark objects with such vividness that it would 


184 


Lost in the Air 


not be too much to expect to see large objects 
twenty miles away. 

I think your eyes are all right/’ he said 
slowly. 

“ Then that ’ud be th’ forest by the river. 
Th’ treasure city ’ud be just by the ’arbor h’at 
th’ mouth of th’ river, Dave. HT ’ates t’ think 
’ow richer we’ll be.” The old man gripped 
Dave’s hand. 

As for Dave, he was silent. He was thinking 
first of the struggle that could not now be far 
distant. It would be a bitter fight, with odds 
in favor of the other party. However, he hoped 
the enemy had been weakened by the earlier 
combat. Then he thought of the men they had 
so unexpectedly left behind; of the Doctor who 
depended upon him, and of the gobs who had 
served under him, a boy, so faithfully. Such 
thoughts left him in no mood to think of 
treasure. 

He was about to say as much to his compan- 
ion when there came a rattle at the hatch of the 
sub. 


Battle Beneath the Arctic Moon 185 

Quickly he and the engineer crouched behind 
the conning-tower. Their breath coming hard, 
their hearts beating fast, they waited. 

The throbbing of the engine stopped. The 
submarine glided silently on. The deathlike 
stillness was ended by the dull groan of a 
hatchway lifting. Armed each with a knife and 
a heavy ice-anchor, the two men waited. 

H? Hs * * * 

In the meantime, during this twenty-four 
hours, so eventful to Dave and the engineer, 
other things were happening on the shore by the 
native village. When Rainey, who had been 
on guard at the time of the stealing of the 

sub,” had been found and brought back to 
consciousness, he could give no account of 
affairs, other than that he had been struck a 
violent blow on the head, and after that, 
remembered nothing. 

For a single moment dark suspicion rested on 
Dave and the engineer. Some of the crew had 
heard them talking of the treasure city ten days’ 
journey to the west, and had heard Jarvis 


186 ^ Lost in the Air 

remark that he ’ated t’ think ’ow rich they’d 
be.” Could it be possible they had seized the 
submarine and deserted the party for the sake 
of gain to themselves? For a mom.ent faith 
wavered, then their better natures triumphed. 

Not them,” they declared. “ Not Dave and 
old Jarvis.” 

To this the Doctor heartily agreed. And, 
though his disappointment was great at having 
the expedition again delayed, and, perhaps, 
entirely thwarted, he turned his mind at once 
to matters of the hour. 

Gathering his men about him, he outlined 
hastily a line of action for them in the present 
crisis. They were, he reasoned, in a perilous 
situation. 

Several hundred miles west of any point 
reached by white whalers and traders, marooned 
with two hundred superstitious natives, who 
to-day worshipped them, but to-morrow, upon 
discovering the disappearance of the spirit- 
whale,” might turn upon them, they would be 
obliged to make use of every resource and every 


Battle Beneath the Arctic Moon 187 

strategy to save their lives, should the submarine 
fail to return. His plan was, to deal fairly with 
the natives and keep their good will, if that 
were possible. 

Fortunately, they had taken from the sub- 
marine ten good rifles with a hundred rounds of 
ammunition. Natives were seen at all hours of 
the day dragging behind them the carcasses of 
seal, oogrook (big-seal), and even polar bear. If 
these could be secured with the aid of such 
primitive weapons as harpoon and lance, they 
with their rifles might hope to secure an ample 
supply of the meat. And it had been proved 
that even a white man could live the winter 
through on a diet of meat and blubber in right 
proportions. They might also, at times, be able 
to trade for reindeer meat. 

They would remain at the village until no hope 
remained that the submarine would return, then 
they would endeavor to get a store of meat, some 
reindeer, and deerskin sleeping bags, and make 
their way east to some point reached in summer 
by traders. 


188 


Lost in the Air 


Three of the large skin-houses had already 
been turned over to them by the natives. These 
would provide ample shelter. Two were at once 
arranged as bunk-houses and the third as cook- 
shack. 

When this had been done, with two men on 
guard, they turned in and slept. 

Next morning, at six o’clock, four hours 
before daylight, every man was called out and 
assigned duties. It was the custom of the natives 
to depart for the hunting-ground at that hour. 
They should follow the same custom. Dividing 
themselves into two parties, one to watch camp, 
the other to hunt, they immediately set about 
their tasks. 

The first day’s hunt was under the direction 
of Azazruk, the Eskimo. The results were more 
than gratifying. Two ringed seals, one oogrook, 
ten feet long, and one young polar bear were 
the bag for the day. 

A full week’s supply of meat,” smiled 
the Doctor, rubbing his hands in high glee. 
In his interest in this new game, he had 


Battle Beneath the Arctic Moon 189 

for the moment quite forgotten his great 
disappointment at the loss of the sub. 

It was while they were smacking their lips 
over a hamburger, made of bear meat, that they 
were surprised by a young native, who rushed 
into their tent without the accustomed shouted 
salutation, seemingly quite beside himself with 
fear. 

For some time nothing intelligible could be 
gathered from his excited chatter. But finally 
Azazruk made out that only an hour before, as 
he watched the reindeer, a great hairy monster 
had dashed at the herd, scattering it far and 
wide, and carrying away a yearling buck as 
easily as if it had been a rabbit. 

Probably a white bear/’ suggested Rainey. 

“ Not probable,” said the Doctor. “ A bear 
would eat his prey where it was slain.” 

‘‘A wolf?” 

‘‘ Couldn’t do it.” 

‘‘Well, what then?” 

All eyes were turned toward the Doctor. 

“ You will judge me insane if I tell you what 


190 


Lost in the Air 


I think it was/’ he answered. But here you 
are; I think it was a tiger.” 

‘‘A tiger?” 

Tiger?” 

Every man voiced his unbelief. 

'' A tiger in the Arctic? ” 

'' Impossible ! ” 

'' That’s absurd.” 

For answer the Doctor drew from his note- 
book a newspaper clipping, bidding Rainey read 
it aloud. The article was entitled 

THE RUSSIAN TIGER 

and was an account of the slaying of a gigantic 
man-eater by an American officer when Ameri- 
can troops were stationed at Vladivostok, in 
eastern Russia. 

‘‘ At that point,” explained the Doctor, '' they 
have about eight months of winter with a ther- 
mometer that drops far below zero. It may well 
be considered a part of the Arctic. Yet, as you 
see, they have tigers there; indeed, I am told 
they are not at all uncommon. So why not up 


Battle Beneath the Arctic Moon 191 

here? ’’ No one had a ready answer, and at last 
the Doctor spoke again: 

‘‘ In the meantime, what are we going to do 
about it? It would seem that the natives are 
appealing to us for aid/' 

Rainey at once sprang to his feet, exclaiming: 

“ Count me one to go hunt the beast, whatever 
it is." 

At once the others were on their feet shouting 
their eagerness for the hunt. 

The Doctor chose a gob named Thompson to 
accompany Rainey on his '' tiger hunt," or what- 
ever it might prove to be. Rainey was well 
pleased at the choice, for Thompson was a sure 
shot and a cool, nervy hand in time of danger. 

‘‘ If I don't hear from you by morning," said 
the Doctor, ‘‘ I shall send a relief expedition." 

Rainey had fully recovered from the affair of 
the previous day. Both he and Thompson had 
been among the guarding party that day, so were 
fresh and keen for work. They found the moon- 
light making the wide stretches of ice and snow 
light as day. 


192 


Lost in the Air 

''Some night and some game!'' murmured 
Rainey, as they emerged from the tent. 

:jc ^ ijc 

When the men in native garb, who had stolen 
the submarine, lifted the hatch to take an 
observation, they were utterly unaware of the 
presence of two figures crouching behind the 
conning-tower. This, in spite of the fact that 
the men wore their long knives strapped to their 
waists, gave Dave and the engineer a decided 
advantage — an advantage they were not slow 
to make the most of. 

Fortunately, the robbers crowded up the 
hatchway, all eager to catch a first view of the 
reputed gold valley, in which lay the treasure 
city. 

As the third head peeped above the hatch, 
Jarvis sprang at them. Swinging his ice-anchor, 
an ugly cudgel of bent iron with a chilled steel 
point, he sent two of the villains sprawling at a 
single blow. Meanwhile, Dave, who had 
grappled with the third man, made a misstep and 
together they plunged down the hatchway. His 


Battle Beneath the Arctic Moon 193 

opponent landed full on Dave’s stomach, and so 
crushed the breath from him that for a second 
the lad could not move. But instantly, he real- 
ized that he must act. The man was attempting 
to draw his long knife. Thrusting out a hand, 
Dave gripped the point of the blade in its soft 
leather sheath so tightly that it could not be 
withdrawn. 

Struggling with every ounce of strength, the 
two men were rolling over and over on the deck. 
The stranger was heavier and evidently older 
than Dave, but the American had one advantage. 
He was dressed only in woolens. The heavy skin 
clothing of his antagonist hampered his action. 
In spite of this, Dave felt himself losing out in 
the battle. The stranger’s hand was gripping 
closer and closer to his throat, and he felt his 
own hand losing its hold on the knife-blade, 
when he heard a welcome roar from the hatch- 
way. It was Jarvis. With one leap he was at 
Dave’s side. For an old man, he was surprisingly 
quick. Yet, he was not too quick, for the mur- 
derous knife was swinging above Dave’s chest 


194 


Lost in the Air 


and a hand was at his throat, when Jarvis clove 
the assailant’s skull with his ice-anchor. 

With a groan the man collapsed. The knife 
clattered to the deck. Jarvis dropped to the 
floor panting 

Are you hurt? ” he gasped. 

‘‘No! Are you?” 

“ Not a scratch. Some jolly little weapon, 
them ice-h’anchors. HT’ll wear one of ’em h’in 
me belt from now on! H’l ’ates t’ think ’ow 
cold th’ water was when h’l pitched ’em h’in, 
them other two.” 

“Kill ’em?” 

“ Not that bad. But mebby they’ll drown. 
H’l’ll go see. H’l’d ’ate t’ see ’em climbin’ back.” 

He hurried up the hatchway, followed closely 
by Dave. 

Not a sign of the two men was to be seen, 
either on the submarine, in the water or on the 
solid shore-ice, a few rods away. 

“What d’ y’ think of that?” asked Jarvis, 
mopping his brow. “ They’re gone ! ” 

“ Perhaps they drowned.” 


Battle Beneath the Arctic Moon 195 

Mebbe drowned* — mebby they’re ’id h’in th’ 
h’ice.” 

Well, anyway, we’re rid of them,” said Dave. 

We’ll sew the dead one up in a blanket and 
throw him overboard; then we’ll be going back. 
Think how all fussed up the Doctor will be.” 
The boy chuckled. 

‘‘Going back?” Jarvis stared, as if unable 
to believe his ears. “Going back? And the 
treasure city within peep of h’our h’eyes. Going 
back, did y’ say? H’l ’ates t’ think ’ow rich 
we’ll be, you an’ me.” 

The sun was setting behind the dark line of 
timber. Some object at a point where the timber 
ended and the tundra began cast back the sun- 
light with a golden glow. 

“ D’ y’ see it, lad? ” exclaimed the excited old 
man. “D’ y’ see it? H’it’s gold.” 


CHAPTER XII 


THE RUSSIAN TIGER 

When Rainey and Thompson, accompanied by 
the native, left the village to hunt the strange 
creature that was working havoc with the village 
reindeer herd, they walked directly away from 
the rows of deerskin houses toward the tundra 
at the foot of the hills where, some five miles 
away, the deer were herded. 

The five miles were accomplished mostly in 
silence. Each man was busy with his own 
thoughts. As for the little native, he seemed 
quite without fear as long as he was with the 
powerful ‘‘ spirits of dead w^hales.” 

When they approached the brown line of the 
herd that spread itself across the horizon, the 
boy led them around it to a point beyond where 
the beast attacked the young deer. 

There, though the ground had been much 
196 


197 


The Rurssian Tiger 

trampled by the maddened herd, they found 
many traces of the attack. Splotches of blood 
stained the snow and made a well-defined trail 
where the creature had carried off its prey. 
Soon they were beyond the patches of trampled 
snow and then the native left them to follow 
the trail alone. 

Faintly, from the distance, came the rattle and 
clatter of reindeer antlers as the herd moved 
about. Above them, in all its silver glory, shone 
the moon. Now and again the hunters gave a 
start, as a ptarmigan, roused from its slumbers, 
went whirring away. To them every purple 
shadow of rock or bush or snow-pile might be 
the beast crouching over his kill. 

The Doctor’s right ! ” exclaimed Rainey, 
bending over the trail, which still showed a 
bloodspot here and there. It’s no polar bear — 
here’s the scratch of his claws where he climbed 
this bank. Polar bears have no claws, only a 
sort of hard lump on the end of each toe.” 

No wolf, either,” said Thompson, examining 
the tracks carefully. The scratches are too 


198 


Lost in the Air 


long and too far apart. But, for that matter, 
who would even dream of a wolf large enough 
to carry off a two hundred pound deer ? ’’ 

The beast’s soft paws on the snow, hard- 
packed by Arctic winds, left a trail very difficult 
to follow. But, bit by bit, they traced it out. 

At last the creature, having climbed a hill, had 
taken down a narrow ravine where scrub willows 
grew thick. And here they found unmistakable 
evidence that it had been some form of a great 
cat that had passed this way. 

Just like a cat’s track,” said Rainey. '' And 
look at the size of ’em ; must measure five inches 
across ! ” 

They paused at the edge of the willows. They 
were brave men, but not fools. Only fools would 
venture into that thicket, where every advantage 
would be on the side of the lurking monster. 

There’s a ridge up there running right 
along the side of this scrub,” said Rainey. 

We’ll climb up there and walk along it. May 
get a glimpse of him. Then, again, he may have 
come out on the other side and gone on.” 


199 


The Russian Tiger 

They climbed the bank and started along the 
ridge. Every yellow bunch of dead willow leaves 
at once became for the moment a crouching tiger, 
but each, in turn, was passed up. So they walked 
the ridge and had passed the willow clump, when 
Rainey gripped his companion’s arm, whisper- 
ing: 

'‘What’s that down there to the right? I 
think I saw it move.” 

Thompson gazed down the narrow pass for a 
moment, then whispered: 

" C’mon. It’s the very old chap. We can 
skirt the next bank of rocks and be right above 
him. We’re in luck. It will be an easy shot! ” 

Creeping on hands and knees, with bated 
breath and nerves a-tingle, the boys came pres- 
ently to a point above the half-hidden beast. As 
they peered down at him they could barely sup- 
press exclamations of surprise. It was, indeed, 
a tiger. And such a tiger I Never, in any zoo or 
menagerie, had they seen his equal. He was a 
monster, with massive head, deep chest and 
powerful limbs; and his thick fur — nature’s 


200 


Lost in the Air 


protection against the Arctic cold — seemed to 
emphasize both his size and his savageness. 

'‘You’re the best shot,” whispered Rainey. 
" Try him!” 

Thompson lifted his rifle and with steady 
nerve aimed at a point back of the fore-leg. 

The tiger, who up to this time had apparently 
neither heard nor scented them, but had been 
crouching half asleep beside his mangled prey, 
seemed suddenly to become aware of their pres- 
ence. Just as the rifle cracked, he sprang up the 
bank. His deafening roar told that the bullet 
had found a mark, but it did not check his 
charge. 

Then came a catastrophe. Rainey leaned too 
far forward, causing some rocks and loose snow 
to slide from beneath him, and, in another sec- 
ond he shot down a steep incline to what seemed 
certain death. 

To his surprise, he found himself dropping 
straight down. A hidden cliff here jutted out 
over the drifted snow. To his much greater 
surprise, instead of being knocked senseless, he 


201 


The Russian Tiger 

was immediately engulfed in what seemed an 
avalanche of snow leaping up to meet him. His 
alert mind told him what had happened. A 
blizzard of a few days previous had driven great 
quantities of snow against the cliff. This snow 
was not hard-packed, and he had been buried in 
it by the fall. The problem now was to avoid 
the tiger, who was sure to spring upon him at 
the first glimpse and tear him in pieces. Then, 
suddenly, there flashed through his mind a pic- 
ture left over from his boyhood days. It was 
that of a cat endeavoring to catch a mole, which 
burrowed industriously beneath the snow, rais- 
ing a ridge as he burrowed. Could he play the 
part of the mole, as the tiger was sure to play 
the part of the cat? It was his only chance. 
His companion would not dare to shoot until 
he knew where Rainey was. 

Putting himself in the position of a swimmer, 
the sailor began pawing at the snow and kick- 
ing it with his feet. The snow was hard packed 
against his face and he thought his lungs would 
burst. But he was making progress. Now, he 


202 Lost in the Air 

dared back off a trifle and take a long breath of 
air from the burrow he had made. Then a 
sound stirred him to renewed effort. It was the 
thud and jar of an impact. The tiger, having 
made his first leap, had missed. How many- 
more times would he do this? The boy once 
more jamming his head against the snow re- 
newed his swimming motions. Again he was 
obliged to pause for breath. Again the tiger 
sprang; this time, seemingly, he was more ac- 
curate. Again the race was renewed. The boy’s 
mind was in a whirl. Would his companion un- 
derstand and risk a shot as the tiger prepared 
for another spring? He hoped so. Surely, he 
could not endure the strain much longer. One 
thing he was certain of, he could not hear the 
report of the rifle if a shot were fired. He must 
struggle on in ignorance of what was going on 
above him. The thought was maddening. The 
air in the narrow channel was stifling; yet, he 
burrowed on, and heard again the heavy impact. 

He had burrowed his length and backed off 
again for breath, when he was forced to the 


The Russian Tiger 203^ 

realization that he could endure the ak* of the 
channel no longer. Apparently, the tiger's last 
leap had completely closed it. 

Resolving to fight his way out, and then to 
trust all to flight, he thrust his hands upward 
and again began to burrow. With dizzy brain 
and wildly beating heart, he felt at length the 
fresh, frosty air upon his cheek. 

But what was this that reached his ears? 
Surely not the roar of the tiger. Instead it was 
the joyous cry of his companion. 

Dragging the snow from his eyes, Rainey 
stared about him. There, not five paces from 
him, lay the tiger with a bullet in his brain, while 
beside the body stood Thompson. 

Well," said the hunter with a grin, you're 
sure some mouse ! " 

‘‘And you're some shot! " said Rainey, floun- 
dering through the snow to his companion's side. 
“ I guess that's the finest tiger skin in the 
world." 

“ It's yours as much as mine," answered 
Thompson. “ We'll go share and share alike." 


CHAPTER XIII 

BRUCE AND THE BEAR 

During this time of mishaps and adventures 
for the submarine party, what was happening 
to the boys and the Major in their airplane? 
With fair wind and weather they might well 
have been on the return journey from the Pole. 
But fair wind and weather are not for long in 
the Arctic. They were, indeed, on their way. 
As they shot away into the air from the native 
village near the trader’s schooner, they heard 
the natives calling one word in unison. It was 
the Eskimo name for Thunder-bird. 

The Major smiled happily at the boys as the 
plane soared upward. 

Barney was again at the wheel. Two things 
he dreaded now: engine trouble, which might 
be brought on by poor gasoline, and an Arctic 
blizzard. If forced to land at any time, they 
204 


Bruce and the Bear 


205 


would be in great danger of a crash, and a storm 
would double the danger. 

But there could never have been a more won- 
derful day than that on which they left the little 
camp for the great adventure. Not a cloud 
whitened the blue dome of the sky, not a breath 
of air stirred. Soon the sun sank from sight, 
and twilight, strange and wonderful, lasting 
through three long hours, faded slowly into 
night. Then below them lay yellow lights and 
deep purple shadows, with here and there a 
stretch of black, which told of open water be- 
tween floes. 

The air grew colder as night came on, and 
speeding northward they saw the thermometer 
dropping degree by degree, and felt the chill 
creep through their garments in defiance of 
their electrical heating device. Barney began to 
worry about the effect of this intense cold on the 
tempered steel of his engines and the many- 
layered wood of his propellers ; but as they sped 
on hour after hour, this restlessness left him. 

But what was this? He found the machine 


206 




Lost in the Air 

shooting through space with greater freedom. 
One answer there was : a storm. They had been 
caught in the advance of a blizzard; how 
great and terrible, none could tell. 

Going to storm. Better land,’’ telephoned • 
the Major. 

Obeying his orders, the boy dropped to a 
lower level. Here the wind was more intense 
and the air was filled with fine particles of snow 
which raced with them, only to glide away into 
the background. The whole ice-floe was already 
gray and indistinct from the drift. To pick a 
landing-place seemed impossible. For several 
moments of agonizing suspense they sped on; 
then, just as they were about to despair, there 
appeared before them a long expanse of white. 
Wide as three city boulevards, endless in extent, 
it appeared to offer just the opportunity they 
were seeking. 

With a sign Barney shut off his engine, and, 
sailing on the wind, waited for a lull to give him 
a safe landing. 

The lull came, then with a swoop, like a wild 


Bruce and the Bear 207 

duck seeking water, they hovered, settled, then 
touched the surface. 

The landing-wheels were shooting along over 
the snow with Barney's keen eyes strained ahead 
that he might avoid possible rough spots, when 
there came a cry of dismay from Bruce. With 
one startled glance about, Barney saw all. To 
the right and left of them the ice seemed to rise 
like the walls of an inverted tent. “ Rubber- 
ice," his mind told him like a flash. They had 
attempted to land where the water had but 
recently frozen over, and was covered with a 
deceptive coating of snow. Only one hope 
remained : to rise again. Once the weak rubber- 
ice — thin, elastic salt-water ice — gave way, 
nothing could save them. 

Tilting the planes and tail to their utmost 
capacity, Barney set first one engine in motion 
and then the other. But the yielding ice gave 
them no purchase. At the same time, it impeded 
their progress by offering them the slope of a 
mountain side to climb. One thing favored 
them. The peril of a moment before became a 


208 


Lost in the Air 


blessing. The wind freshened at every blast. 
At last, with a terrific swoop, it seized them and 
sent them whirling upward. In the down-swoop, 
they were all but crashed on a towering pile of 
ice, but escaping this, fate, once more they were 
away. 

Despite this near-catastrophe, Barney was 
determined to make a landing. The chill of the 
storm was so benumbing to muscles and senses 
that further flying could only result in stupor, 
then death. 

Again he sank low and scudded along on the 
wings of the wind. To his great joy, he soon 
saw that they were passing over flat stretches of 
white. There could be no mistake this time; 
they were ice-pans, perhaps a quarter-mile 
across, such pans as form in quiet bays, to float 
away and drift north in the spring. Again he 
stopped his engines, determined, if he must, to 
circle and return to the flats he had passed. This 
did not prove necessan;, however, and, to their 
great relief, the three were soon threshing their 
arms and stampir.g their feet on a solid cake of 


Bruce and the Bear 


209 


ice, and so vast that it seemed they must be on 
land, not hundreds, of miles from shore on the 
bosom of a great ocean, which might, at the very 
point they stood, be a half-mile in depth. 

Their first concern was to make camp. This 
storm might rage for days, and already they 
saw white spots forming on one another's cheeks, 
telling of frost-bites. 

We can’t camp here in the open,” said the 
Major. “ Have to carry our blankets and sleep- 
ing-bags to the rougher ice yonder, where we 
can build a house of snow.” 

The suggestion was no sooner made than the 
boys were delving into the inner recesses of the 
plane and dragging out equipment and supplies. 

Primus stove, dried potatoes, pemmican, 
evaporated eggs, pickled butter, hard-tack, choc- 
olate, beef tea,' cofifee,” Barney called off. '' Not 
bad for near the Pole.” 

The dogs were hitched to the small sled and 
soon all were racing away before the wind to the 
spot chosen for the camp. In a short time they 
were busy constructing a rude shelter, and the 


210 


Lost in the Air 


airplane for the moment was forgotten. 

In the meantime, the wind was increasing, 
and the wings of the plane, catching first this 
swirl, then that one, began making great gyrat- 
ing circles, cutting the air with a crack and a 
burr that might be heard rods away. Though 
these sounds did not reach the men, busy with 
the snow-shack, they did reach listening ears — 
a great white bear, wandering the floes in search 
of some sleeping seal, stood first on all fours, 
then on his haunches, to listen. Then, with many 
a misgiving and many a pause, he made his cau- 
tious way to the edge of that particular ice-flat 
where the plane rested. Thence, after more mis- 
givings, he trundled his awkward body across 
the flat and took a position close to the plane, 
where, on his haunches, he stood and watched 
the apparently playful antics of the plane as if 
he thought it some great bird that had come to 
infest his domain. 

Presently, when the plane nearest him seemed 
about to swoop down and touch the ice, he moved 
to a position beneath it, and, with tongue lolling. 


Bruce (Mid the Bear 


211 


stood on his haunches again and swinging his 
giant paw to accompany the swing of the plane, 
struck out as it approached him. To his sur- 
prise, the plane did not come within twenty feet 
of the ice surface. He sank back on his haunches 
and awaited further developments. 

When the snow-hut was completed, the first 
thought of the Major and the boys was of 
something to eat. 

Something hot ! ” exclaimed Barney, rattling 
away at the primus stove. Then he sat up with 
a look of disgust on his face. 

The needles for the primus,’’ he groaned. 
“ They’re still over in the plane ! ” 

I’ll get them,” said Bruce, beginning to draw 
on his heavy parka. Soon he was fighting the 
wind back to the position of the plane. He had 
not battled with the elements long before he be- 
gan to realize that all would not be well if the 
plane were left in its present position, unan- 
chored as it was. And when he caught the hum 
and whirr of the wind through the wings, he was 
more thoroughly convinced of the fact than ever. 


212 


Lost in the Air 

As he came near and could see the long tilting 
toss of the wings, he realized that something 
must be done and at once. For a second he hesi- 
tated ; should he return and call his companions, 
or should he attempt to anchor the plane, tem- 
porarily at least, unaided? He decided upon 
the latter course, and went at once to the body 
of the plane where were stored light, strong 
ropes of silk, and ice-anchors. He did not see 
the bear sitting patiently on his haunches be- 
neath the tip of the long wing. Indeed, the snow- 
fog made it impossible, and it was equally im- 
possible for the bear to see him. 

Having secured four ropes and four ice- 
anchors, Bruce took two of the ropes and be- 
gan climbing out on the right wing of the plane. 
His plan was to attach the ropes to the extremity 
of the wing, cast them down to the surface 
where he would anchor them later in each direc- 
tion away from the tip of the wing. He would 
repeat the operation with the other wing, and, 
drawing the ropes down snugly, thus make the 
plane tight and steady. 


Bruce and the Bear 213 

He had climbed quite to the extremity of the 
wing and was about to tie his first rope, when 
a fierce gust of wind threatened to tear him from 
the rigging and crash him to the ice, a danger- 
ous distance below. With a quick clutch, he 
saved himself but lost the rope. It was with a 
grunt of disgust that he saw it wind and twirl 
toward the white surface below. Then it was, for 
the first time, that he saw the yellowish-white 
object huddled there on the ice waiting. 

'' A bear ! ’’ he groaned, and instinctively 
reached for his automatic. 

But at that instant there came a fresh swoop 
of wind that set the plane gyrating more vio- 
lently than ever. 

Clinging grimly to the bars, Bruce felt the 
wing swing down, down, then in toward the 
bear, till it seemed it must crash into the great 
creature. 

Before the plane rose Bruce felt a chill run 
down his spine. Not ten feet beneath him was 
the savage face of the bear. All his gleaming 
white teeth showed in an ugly grin, as he stood 


214 


Lost in the Air 

on his haunches one mighty fore-paw raised in 
air, like a traffic policeman signaling a car to 
stop. 

Then again the wing whirled to dizzy heights. 
Bruce was now quite ready to climb back the 
length of the wing and depart for camp to sum- 
mon assistance. But to loosen his grip, even of 
one hand for an instant, was to court death. 
Again he felt the sickening sink of the plane, as 
if it were an elevator-car loosed from its cable. 
And this time, he felt instinctively, the wing 
would scrape the ice. And the bear, if he were 
still there? Well, there was going to be a crash 
and a general mix-up. 

Bruce had been a football player in his day 
and was aware that there were times, if one 
were at the bottom of the heap, when relaxation 
was the play. As far as his position made it 
possible, he relaxed. And, in the meantime the 
plane swept downward. 

For one fleeting instant he saw the white traf- 
fic cop of the Arctic wilderness still standing 
with paw upraised. Then everything was a 


Bruce and the Bear 215 

blinding, deafening crash of ice and snow, wood, 
canvas and white bear. 

Bruce gathered himself up some rods from 
the scene of the crash. Relaxed as he was, he 
had rolled like a football over the ice and had 
escaped with a few bruises. But the plane? As 
he caught a fleeting glimpse of it disappearing 
in the murky fog, he felt sure that it would take 
days, perhaps weeks, to repair it. 

'' And the worst is not yet ! She’s still swing- 
ing ! ” he groaned, rising stiffly. 

But immediately his mind was turned to the 
white ‘‘cop.” How had he fared? The boy 
felt for his automatic. Fortune favored him; 
it was still in his holster. This was well, for the 
white bear, very much shaken but still game, 
having wrought further havoc with the debris 
left by the demolished wing, was charging down 
upon him. 

Standing his ground, Bruce waited until the 
bear was within six paces. One stroke from that 
giant paw would end the struggle. His aim must 
be true and certain. Suddenly his hand went to 


216 


Lost in the Air 


his side for a hip-shot. Put-put-put-put. Four 
bullets smashed into the bear, bringing him to 
a standstill. Put-put-put-put. With a roar, 
the bear sank to the ice. In a second he 
was dead. 

It was with a feeling almost of regret that 
Bruce bent over the giant beast. But it was with 
a sense of new power that he noted that seven of 
his bullets had crashed through the Arctic Goli- 
ath’s skull. 

Agaip his mind was turned toward the plane. 
Cold and hungry as they were, he realized that 
he and his two companions must spend the next 
hour making their craft safe from further 
damage. 

Three hours, indeed, elapsed before they were 
again seated in the snow-cabin. This time the 
primus stove was going and the coffee coming to 
a boil. 

'' Well,” said the Major, I’m glad we’re all 
here. We’ll be delayed for several days. We 
may have lost the race. But we won’t give up. 
As long as our plane has wdngs we’ll keep on. 


Bruce and the Bear 217 

No race is ever lost until the goal is reached and 
'passed. Let’s eat.” 

“ Anyway,” said Barney, as he sipped his cup 
of hot coffee, ‘‘we won’t run out of dog meat 
and hamburger soon. I’ll bet Bruce’s bear 
weighs a thousand pounds dressed.” 

“ Fourteen inches between the ears,” grinned 
Bruce proudly. 


CHAPTER XIV 


BOMBED 

Standing silently beside the aged engineer,. 
Dave Tower gazed thoughtfully at the golden 
dome that flashed, then -slowly darkened in the 
setting sun. That yellow gleam did not lure him 
on, for the honor of helping to reach the Pole 
was more to him than money. But Jarvis? He 
perhaps had learned in his long years of labor 
that '' the paths of glory lead but to the grave,’’ 
and now that he was growing old wealth would 
mean escape from toil and worry. Perhaps, too, 
somewhere in the States a gray-haired wife 
awaited him to whom just a little of that gleam- 
ing gold would mean rest and peace as long as 
she might live. 

So Dave looked at the golden dome and pon- 
dered what he ought to do. When at last, he 
spoke, his tone was kind: 

218 


Bombed 


219 


'^Jarvis/’ he began, '^as you know, I am m 
command of this craft. The fact that it has 
been stolen and won back, more by your efforts 
than by anything I have done, does not change 
matters any. I am still commander.” 

Jarvis looked up with an impatient gesture, as 
if about to speak, but Dave kept on: 

'' As captain of this submarine, I might order 
you below, and your refusal to do so would be 
mutiny. But from the time we came aboard this 
craft we have been more like pals than com- 
mander and engineer. I give you my word of 
honor I will never order you below. If you go, 
you go of your own free will.” 

Jarvis raised his face for a moment, and upon 
it was a look of growing hope. 

“ You know,” Dave continued, what our 
duty is. We shipped under the orders of the 
Doctor. Those orders still go. No matter how 
fine the chances are that we are letting slip, we 
are bound to do as the Doctor wants. 

More than that, we have friends back there 
who had only two days’ supply of food when we 


220 


Lost in the Air 

left them. They are living in a village of super- 
stitious, treacherous savages, who may attack 
and murder them at any moment. Jarvis,’' he 
touched the old man’s hand, '' we are American 
seamen. Will you forget your flag and your 
shipmates for gold? ” 

For a second the old man stood iii silence, 
then with a rush, he stupibled down the hatch- 
way, and in another moment Dave heard him 
tinkering away at his engines. 

Before Dave wrapped the dead stranger in his 
burial blanket, he searched the pockets of his 
clothing. There was no mistaking the garments ; 
they were oriental in make. And had there re- 
mained any doubt, it would have been dispelled 
by two packets of papers taken from an inside 
pocket. These bore the official stamp of that 
oriental government which had been named by 
Jarvis. 

I must tell Jarvis,” said the boy to himself. 

It will please him to know that he was right.” 

And that night, while they glided silently back 
toward the native village they had left not many 


Bombed 


221 


hours before, leaving the treasure city a mystery 
unexplained, he did tell Jarvis. As he finished, 
the old man's face lighted. 

The thing that's troublin' me just now," he 
said slowly, is the question of th' two bloomin' 
'eathen that faded from h'our h'eyes. H'l 'ates 
to think they live, an' h'l 'ates to trust my 'opes 
they're done for. If They’re h'alive, they may 
get the treasure yet, an' h'l 'ates t' be beat by a 
bloody, bloomin’ ’eathen." 

They're a long way from home base,” said 
Dave with a grin. They may find the treasure, 
but getting it home’s another thing." 

'' I want you to know," he went on, huskily, 
'' that I appreciate your standing by me, and if 
we get out of this alive, you and I, with our dis- 
charge papers, I promise I'll be your partner in 
this new enterprise — the quest for treasure; 
that is, if you'll take me on." 

‘‘ Will h'l? " Jarvis sprang to his feet, a new 
glad light in his eye. Will h'l ? 'Ere, give us 
a 'and on that. H'and we'll win, lad ; we’ll win ! 
An' that in spite of th' bloomin' 'eathen ! " 


222 


Lost in the Air 


It was early the next morning that the Doc- 
tor, who was enj9ying, with the gobs, the native 
festival of rejoicing over the killing of the great, 
and to them unknown, beast which had attacked 
their reindeer herds, he noticed a young native 
come running from the direction of the sea. He 
paused now and again to shout: 

Tomai! Tomai! ’’ which was the native call 
for the arrival of a boat. 

Instantly the crowd was thrown into commo- 
tion. Natives rushed hither and thither. But 
the white men realized at once that this could 
mean nothing less than the return of the sub- 
marine, and, while they did not at all understand 
it, they whooped their joy and rushed toward 
the shore to see a dark body rounding the point. 

''The sub! The sub! Hurray! Hurray!” 
they shouted, tossing their caps high in air. And 
the submarine indeed it was. Dave and Jarvis 
were overjoyed to rejoin their companions. 

The stories of adventure were soon told and 
then everyone was set to hustling the last bit of 
equipment on board. There would be neither 


Bombed 


223 


meals nor sleep until everything was in readiness 
and they were away. 

As the Doctor and Dave stood on deck watch- 
ing the casting off of the ropes, the Doctor spoke 
of his plans. 

'' We may have lost the race,’’ he remarked 
rather grimly, but we’re going to the Pole just 
the same. It will mean something to you boys, 
at least, to be able to say that you’ve been there. 
It was my purpose to lay our course directly for 
the Pole without establishing a base, but since 
we have been carried out of our way so far, and 
have used so much fuel, I feel that it will be 
wise to head for the farthest-north point of 
Alaska — Point Barrow. 

I was assured, in Nome, that there were two 
oil-burning whalers wintering near there, and 
I have no doubt that we can depend on them for 
extra fuel.” 

The hatches were lowered, the submarine sank 
from sight amid the Ah-ne-ca’s ” and Mat- 
na’s ” of the awe stricken natives who lined the 
cliffs a half-mile away. The sub, with all on 


224 


Lost in the Air 


board, was again on its way to enter the race 
for the Pole. 

‘"The race is on,” said Dave. 

I wonder ? ” smiled the Doctor. 

Three times they rose in dark waterways for 
air. The fourth time it seemed they must be 
nearing land — 

Yes, as the submarine bumped the edge of an 
ice-floe, a point of land showed plainly to port. 

Dave, with field-glass in hand, sprang to the 
nearest ice-cake, then climbed to a pinnacle to 
take an observation. 

Clear wafer to the left of us,” he reported. 

Too close ashore? ” asked the Doctor. 

I think not,” was Dave’s answer. We’ll 
have to submerge for three or four miles; then 
we’ll be clear of the ice.” 

Signal bells clanged, and again they were glid- 
ing under the ocean’s armor of ice. 

As he listened to the hum of the machinery, 
one question puzzled Dave. He had seen some- 
thing along the end of that ice-floe. What was 
it? A sail? If so, it was a very strange one — 


Bombed 225 

half white and half black. He could not be sure 
it was a sail. But what else could it have been? 

But now they had swept out from under the 
ice. It was time to rise. Instantly he pressed 
the button. The craft slowed again. Another 
press, and as before they rose. This time no 
white surface would interrupt them. A current 
coming from land caught them forward and 
tilted the craft. She slanted from fore to aft. 
This did not matter; she would right herself 
on the surface like a cork. 

But what was this? As the point shot from 
the water, something rang out against the steel. 
This was followed immediately by what, in the 
narrow apartments, amounted to a deafening 
explosion ; then came the sound of rushing 
waters. 

'‘Great God! We’re bombed!” shouted the 
Doctor. 

Dave’s cool head saved them for the moment. 
His hand seized an electric switch and he pulled 
it desperately. The bow compartment was quickly 
closed, checking the rush of water into the rest 


226 


Lost in the Air 

of the ‘‘ sub/’ Fortunately, no one had been for- 
ward at the time. 

But now they were sinking rapidly. Then 
came the throb of the pumps forcing out the 
water from the compartments aft. Slowly 
the sickening sinking of their ship was checked. 

"‘Will she rise again?” asked the Doctor, 
white-faced but cool. 

'' I think so, sir,” responded Dave. 

Dave watched a gauge with anxious eyes. 
The pumps were still working. Would the craft 
stand the test? Would she rise? 

One, two, three minutes he watched the dial; 
then a fervent “ Thank God ! ” escaped his lips. 
The sub was rising again. 

But once more his brow was clouded. What 
awaited them on the surface? 

‘‘ One more,” he muttered, just one more, 
and we are done for.” 

Every man aboard the submarine had a differ- 
ent explanation for the bomb which had dis- 
abled their craft. Jones, the electrician, had just 
finished reading the adventures of a young Brit- 


Bombed 


227 


ish gunner in these very waters somewhere back 
in the eighties. The story had to do with the 
defense of seal fisheries against the Japs, and 
Jones was sure that a Japanese seal-poaching 
boat had bombed them. McPherson, who had 
seen active service chasing German subs, was 
certain they had encountered one of the missing 
U boats. Wilder believed it had been a Russian 
cruiser, and, of course, Jarvis blamed it to the 

bloomin' 'eathen." 

The first and third of these theories could be 
discarded at once, since no craft was to be seen 
when last they submerged, and a cruiser or 
schooner of any size could scarcely have escaped 
their attention. 

As for Dave, he had another theory, but was 
too busy to talk about it. He had read a great 
deal regarding the Eskimos and their methods 
of hunting. 

Meanwhile the submarine was rising slowly 
toward the surface. She was coming up with 
her stern tilted high this time, for the water in 
her forward compartments disturbed her bal- 


228 


Lost in the Air 

ance. Every heart beat fast as the water above 
grew lighter. 

‘‘ McPherson, be ready to throw open the 
hatch the minute we are clear,” commanded 
Dave. ‘‘ All life belts on? ” he asked. 

Aye, aye, sir ! ” came in chorus. 

‘‘Rifles?” 

“At hand, sir.” 

“ Ready then.” 

There came a sudden burst of light, the creak 
of hinges, the thud of the hatch, then the thud 
of feet as the men rushed for the d^ck. 

In another moment the crew found themselves 
outside clinging to the tilted and unsteady craft, 
blinking in the sunlight, and seeing — ? Prin- 
cipally white ice and dark water. Off in the dis- 
tance, indeed, was an innocent-looking native 
skin-boat. There were, perhaps, ten natives 
aboard. 

“ Thought so,” chuckled Dave. 

“You thought what?” demanded the Doctor. 
Every eye was turned on the young commander. 

“ Thought we’d been shot by natives with a 


Bombed 


229 


whale-gun. Took us for a whale, don’t you 
see? Whale-gun throws a bomb that explodes 
inside the whale and kills him. In this case, it 
exploded against us and raised the very old 
dickens. Here they come. You’ll see I’m right.” 

And he was right. The crew of christianized 
natives were soon alongside, very humble in their 
apologies, and very anxious to assist in undoing 
the damage they had wrought. 

‘‘ Have we any extra steel plate ? ” asked the 
Doctor. 

‘‘Yes, sir. Have to be shaped, though,” re- 
plied Dave. 

“ Can we do it? ” 

“ I think so, on shore.” 

“ All right, then. Get these natives to give us 
a hand and we’ll go on the sand-bar for repairs. 
Bad cess to the whaling industry of the Eskimos ! 
It’s lost us a full two days, and perhaps the 
race! But we must not give up. Things can 
happen to airplanes, as well.” 

It took a hard half-day’s work to bring the 
craft to land, but at last the task was done and 


230 


Lost in the Air 


the mechanics were hammering merrily away on 
the steel with acetylene torch sputtering, and 
forty natives standing about open-mouthed, ex- 
claiming at everything that happened, and offer- 
ing profound explanations in their own droll 
way. 


CHAPTER XV 


THE MYSTERY CAVERN 

Once their craft was repaired, the submarine 
party pushed northward at an average rate of 
ten miles an hour. It was two days before any 
further adventure crossed their path. But each 
hour of the journey had its new thrill and added 
charm. Now, with engine in full throb, they 
were scurrying along narrow channels of dark 
water, and now submerging for a sub-sea jour- 
ney. Now, shadowy objects shot past them, and 
Dave uttered a prayer that they might not mix 
with the propeller — seal, walrus or white 
whale, whatever they might be. In his mind, at 
such times, he had visions of floating beneath 
the Arctic pack, powerless to go ahead or back- 
ward and as powerless to break through the 
ice to freedom. 

Wonderful changing lights were ever filtering 
231 


232 


Lost in the Air 

through ice and water to them, and, at times, as 
they drove slowly forward, the lights and shad- 
ows seemed to have a motion of their own, a 
restless shifting, like the play of sunlight and 
shadow beneath the trees. Dave knew this was 
no work of the imagination. He knew that the 
ice above them was the plaything of currents 
and winds; that great cakes, many yards wide 
and eight feet thick, were grinding and piling 
one upon another. Once more his brow wrin- 
kled. ‘‘ For,” he said to himself, it may be true 
enough that the average ice-floe is only twenty- 
five miles wide, but if the wind and current jams 
a lot of them together, what limit can there be to 
their extent? And if we were to find ourselves 
in the center of such a vast field of ice with 
oxygen exhausted, what chance would we 
have?” 

Dave shuddered in answer to the question. 

He was thinking of these things on the eve of 
the second day. They were plowing peacefully 
through the water when, of a sudden, there came 
a grating blow at the side of the craft.' It was 


The Mystery Cavern 233 

as if they had struck some solid object and 
glanced off. 

''What was that?’' exclaimed the boy. He 
cut the power, then turned to the Doctor : 

" Ice or — ” 

" There it goes again! ” exclaimed the Doctor. 

This time the blow was heavier. It sent them 
against the side of the compartment. 

"Ice beneath the ocean? Impossible!” ex- 
claimed the Doctor. " Must be rocks ! ” 

Another blow hurled them in the opposite 
direction. Both realized the gravity of this new 
peril. If one of these blows caught the craft 
squarely it would crush the sub like an egg-shell. 

But the boat was slowing up. There was hope 
in that. Dave, attempting to look out of one of 
the portholes, was thrown to the floor by an- 
other shock. And this time the craft seemed to 
have stuck, for she did not move. 

" Where can we be? ” asked Dave, rubbing a 
bruised head. 

It was a strange sight which met their eyes 
as they looked from the conning tower. On 


234 Lost in the Air 

every side appeared to be giant pillars of ice. 

Between these were narrow water passages, 

while above they could make out a mass of ice 

far more opaque than any they had yet passed 

beneath. 

One of two things,” said the Doctor. '' We 
are beneath an iceberg or the end of a glacier. 
Probably a glacier, and the pillars which support 
it reach to the bottom, which must not be far 
below us.” 

We have driven between two pillars and 
stuck there like a mouse in a trap,” said Dave, 
and if we cannot set ourselves free, we are — ” 

‘‘It must be done!” exclaimed the Doctor. 
“ Start the power slowly and see what the pro- 
peller will do.” 

Dave gave the signal. There followed a 
harsh, grating sound, but the boat did not move. 

“ Stuck! ” muttered Dave. 

“ Not so fast,” said the Doctor. “ There’s 
hope yet. Shut off the power and order all 
hands aft.” 

“ Now,” said the Doctor, when they were as- 


The Mystery Cavern 235 

sembled. ‘‘We will go to the starboard side, 
then all together dash to port, and throw our 
weight against the side. Then turn and rush 
back — we want to make her roll. Are you 
ready? Go!’^ 

The craft stirred a trifle at the shock. The 
second attempt seemed to promise still better. 
After they had repeated the operation half a 
dozen times, they were getting considerable side- 
wise movement out of the trapped submarine. 

“ Now,’’ said the Doctor, “ start the power 
slowly, engine reversed. The instant she is free, 
shut off the power. On the precision of this 
operation depends all our lives, for should the 
propeller strike one of those pillars it will be 
torn away and our hope of escape gone.” 

Dave’s hand trembled as he moved the lever. 
For one second the propeller spun around. Then, 
with a shudder, the craft started backward. 
That instant Dave shut off the power. The sub- 
marine drifted free. So far, they were safe. 

The Doctor consulted his watch. 

“ Time of low tide,” he observed. ‘‘ Guess we 


236 


Lost in the Air 

should be able to rise and get some air. Try it.” 

Slowly they rose to the surface, and there the 
craft rested. 

It was an eager throng that rushed from the 
conning-tower and it was a wonderful and awe- 
inspiring sight which met their gaze. 

Cathedral of the Polar Gods ! ” exclaimed 
the Doctor. And, indeed, so the great cavern 
seemed to be. Great pillars of ice, not yet worn 
away by the wash of water, supported giant 
arches of ice, blue as a mid-June night. The 
least echo was echoed and reechoed through the 
vast corridors. The murmur of distant waves 
seemed to come from everywhere. 

What I want to know,” said Dave, is, 
which way is out. The careless gods seemed to 
have neglected to mark the exits.” 

“ We’ll find an exit,” said the Doctor, ‘‘ and 
we’d better be about it, for it’ll be much easier at 
low-tide than at high.” 

The engine was started, and slowly they 
steered their way through countless aisles and 
broad halls, but the finding of the way out did 


The Mystery Cavern 


237 


not seem so easy after all. They had penetrated 
far enough into the cavern to hide them from 
the pale outer moonlight, and they were not cer- 
tain that their course was not taking them far- 
ther from it 

Dave was thinking of turning about when the 
sub came to a stop with a suddenness which 
threatened to pitch the party into the sea. 

What now ? ’’ demanded the Doctor. 

Ordering the power shut off, then flashing a 
light before them, Dave exclaimed : A beach, a 
sandy beach ! '' Then, with the enthusiasm of a 
boy, he sprang forward, leaping into shallow 
water and wading ashore. 

Once ashore he flashed his light about in the 
icy caverns which left but a narrow sandy beach. 
Then, with a cry of horror, he sprang backward. 
Before him towered an immense hairy monster, 
with tusks three times the length of a man’s 
arm. 

The instant the cry had left his lips, he knew 
the laugh was on him. But the cry had gone 
forth, echoing through the corridors. It brought 


238 


Lost in the Air 

the jackies and the Doctor splashing through the 
water to his rescue. 

“ Only a frozen mastodon,” he grinned sheep- 
ishly, as they came to his side. Guess he's been 
dead ten thousand years, to say the least. But 
honest, doesn't he look natural standing there in 
the ice? '' 

He flashed the light suddenly upon the ice- 
encased monster, and the jackies jumped, as if 
they, too, expected to be attacked. 

A beautiful corpse, I'd say,” exclaimed one 
of them. 

A most remarkable specimen,” commented 
the Doctor. I've heard of cases like this, but 
never saw one before.” 

'' Say! ” exclaimed Jones. “ If we could only 
get him out of here like that and put him down 
in alcohol, we'd have a side-show that would 
make Barnum jump out of his grave ! ” 

‘‘ Not a bad idea,” said the Doctor. '' The only 
hitch would be getting him out of here.” 

As Dave backed away for a better view, his 
foot struck something hard. Flashing his light 


The Mystery Cavern 


239 


upon it, he found it to be the skull and tusks of a 
walrus. They were as black as coal. 

Fve made a find ! ’’ he exclaimed. These 
tusks we may take with us, and old ivory is 
about as valuable as precious stones.’’ 

The discovery seemed to waken the Doctor to 
their peril. 

That walrus,” he said, ' Vandered in here 
and was drowned by the rising tide. He can 
breathe under water, but cannot stay down over 
ten minutes. We can’t breathe at all under 
water. The tide is setting in.” 

These words sent the crew scurrying back to 
the submarine. Already the tide had risen suf- 
ficiently to float the craft. All hands hastened 
to re-embark. 

If we set our course directly at right-angles 
to this beach and keep it there,” said Dave, ‘‘ it 
should bring us to safety.” 

This was done, and, after many a turn and 
twist, they caught a gleam of light. Submerg- 
ing, they were soon beneath the ice-floe once 
more. With a sigh of relief, Dave gave the or- 


240 


Lost in the Air 


der to rise at the first water-hole. There they 
might take their bearings. 

A half-hour later the party was gathered on 
the deck gazing away at an island above which 
there towered a snow-capped mountain. Down 
the side of the mountain might be distinguished 
the winding, blue course of a great glacier. 

‘‘ Our glacier ! ’’ said Dave. ‘‘ Some glacier, 
ril say!’' 

'' Our glacier ! ” repeated a jackie. “ Long 
may she glide ! ” 

The course was set at an angle to the island. 
This would carry them past any treacherous 
sand-bars. They would then take another tack 
and resume their former course. 

At a few minutes before noon that day they 
rose far from the island. The sun, a pale yellow 
disk, shone through a thin haze close to the sur- 
face of the pack. And yet it was high noon. 
This was, perhaps, to be their last bearing taken 
by the light of the sun. Henceforth, the moon 
and the stars must guide them. Whereas all 
former polar expeditions were carried forward 


The Mystery Cavern 


241 


only during the summer months, when the sun 
shone night and day, they, as well as their rivals, 
must drive on straight into the deep mysteries of 
the dreaded Arctic night. 


CHAPTER XVI 


WRECKED 

All aboard ! Change here for all way sta- 
tions; our next stop is the Pole! ’’ 

Barney, the daring aviator, sang the words 
cheerfully, as he settled himself in his place at 
the wheel. He hardly felt the cheerfulness his 
tone implied. True, they had spent twelve days 
repairing the damage done to the plane by the 
wind and its collision with the white bear, but it 
was a rather patched-up affair now it was 
finished — as it needs must be with the few 
materials and tools at their command. As he 
had expressed it to Bruce only the night before: 
they had a crippled wing, and a bird with a 
broken pinion never soars so high again, even 
if it is a bird of fabric, wood and steel. 

However, he was truly glad to be getting 
away on what they hoped might be their last 
lap. The grave-like silence of the Arctic, with 
242 


Wrecked 


243 


its glistening whiteness everywhere, had gripped 
his nerves. 

'' Well, here's hoping," he murmured to Bruce, 
as the plane hopped off. 

As for the Major, he sat with face fixed as a 
bronze statue. His gaze was toward the Pole. 

For fourteen hours they soared steadily 
onward. Only the air, which grew crisper and 
more stinging as they advanced steadily north- 
ward, told them they were nearing the Pole. 
Observations from the plane were impossible. 
The sun, which had been appearing less and less 
each day, was now quite lost to them. Only 
the moon in all its glory tinted the blue ice-piles 
with wavering ghost colors. The wind for once 
was still. Not a bird appeared in the sky, not 
an animal met the gaze of their binoculars as 
they peered below. It was as if the whole 
Northern realm had become suddenly silent at 
the magnificent spectacle of three men sailing 
alone over spaces never yet traveled by man, 
and where dangers lurked at every turn. 

The plane, too, was surprising its driver. It 


244 


Lost in the Air 


answered his least touch on the lever controls. 
The engines were working perfectly. Only now 
and again he caught a faint lurch which told his 
practiced senses that some of the rudely 
improvised splices were working loose. Even 
these gave him no great alarm; at least, they 
did not seem sufficiently serious to warrant an 
immediate landing. 

But suddenly, as they were soaring over the 
wildest, most treacherous-looking stretch of floe 
ice that eyes have ever rested upon, the plane 
gave a lurch. A shudder ran through her from 
wing to wing, and, with a plunge, she shot side- 
wise. The outer half of her right wing had 
doubled up on the inner half, like a blade to a 
jack-knife. 

Bruce took in the situation at a glance. 
Before a hand could stop him, he had unbuckled 
his straps, and, creeping to the extremity of the 
remaining half of the wing, he clung there, thus 
adding his weight to its balancing power. 

Already Barney had shut off the engines. 
With the added weight to the right the plane 


Wrecked 


245 


became steadier. Danger of a whirling spin to 
the ice-surface seemed for the time averted. 

‘‘ What a landing-place ! groaned Barney, 
almost touching the starting lever in his eager- 
ness to save the plane. But he stayed his hand; 
to start the engine under such conditions would 
be madness. Some form of landing they must 
make, even if it was but to ''crash.’’ 

So they sped steadily downward, realizing 
that the goal they sought must now, with the 
aid of their dog-team, be easily within their 
grasp ; yet realizing also that all means of return- 
ing was likely to be denied them, unless, indeed, 
one were to call five dogs a means of traveling 
over hundreds of miles of tangled, tumbling 
mountains of ice. 

Suddenly, Barney’s heart leaped for joy. Just 
before them, within possible area of landing, lay 
a perfectly level stretch of ice. It was not large, 
was, in fact, perilously small, yet it offered a 
possible landing. 

Tilting the left plane to its utmost, adjusting 
the tail, Barney glided onward. With bated 


246 


Lost in the Air 


breath he saw the white plain rise to meet them. 
With trembling hand he touched a lever here, a 
button there. Then — a jar — the landing- 
wheels had touched. They touched again. The 
moving plane fairly ate up the scant level space, 
yet she slowed and slowed until at last, with 
hardly a tremor, she rested against the out- 
cropping ridge of ice at the floe's edge. 

With a glowing smile the Major unstrapped 
himself to reach out his hands in thanks and 
congratulation to his pilots. 

But — where were they? They had disap- 
peared. He found them in front of the plane 
calling to him for assistance. Then he saw the 
danger their more practiced eyes had already 
noticed. The ice at this point was piling. At 
this moment the very cake against which they 
had stopped was beginning to rise. Within a 
space of moments, the plane, unless turned and 
thrust backward, would be crushed beneath hun- 
dreds of tons of ice. 

If we can get her back we can save her! " 
panted Bruce. 


Wrecked 


247 


Swing her ! ’’ shouted Barney, throwing his 
whole strength against the right wing. 

“Now she moves!” yelled Bruce joyously. 
“Now! Heave ho!” 

The great craft turned slowly on her wheels. 
Now the plane was clearing the ice. Now — 
now in just a second — she would be safe. 

But no — the right wheel caught in an ice- 
crevice. Three desperate efforts they made to 
free her, then, just as the giant cake towered, 
crumbling above them, the Major shouted the 
word of warning that sent them leaping back 
to safety but cost them their machine. 

True, it stood there, still. The mechanism was 
perfect, the engines uninjured. But the right 
wing was completely demolished. Buried 
beneath tons and tons of ice, the craft that had 
carried them so far was crushed beyond all hope 
of repair. 

With despair tugging at their hearts, the 
three stood looking at the wreckage. But they 
were not of the breed that quits. 

“ We’d better get our stuff and what’s left 


248 Lost in the Air 

of the plane out of the way of danger/’ said 
Bruce at length. 

The stuff — blankets, grub and the like, yes, 
but ” — Barney smiled in spite of himself — 
''why the plane? She’s done for.” 

" Because,” said Bruce, " you can never tell 
what will happen.” 

The pressure which was piling the ice dimin- 
ished rapidly, and the back edge of the cake 
proved a safe place to make camp. Soon they 
were boiling tea over a small oil stove and 
discussing the future as calmly as they might 
have done had they been in the old office-shack 
back on the Hudson Bay Railroad. 

" Now to find where we are,” exclaimed the 
Major, knocking the tea leaves from his cup. 

The interest in this project was keen. After 
working out his reckoning, estimating the speed 
of their flight and counting the hours they had 
been in the air, the Major laid down his pencil. 

" Fifty miles southeast of the Pole,” he said 
at last. " Shall we attempt to go on or turn 
back?” 


Wrecked 


249 


The boys looked at one another. Bruce read 
in his companions’ eyes the desire to attempt the 
return with the dog-team. At the same time, 
he realized that the real genius of an explorer 
lay in his desire to push on. The Major had that 
genius. 

As for me,” Bruce said finally, I never 
decide anything of great importance until I have 
slept over it.” 

Barney smiled in spite of his anxiety and 
weariness. 

But the Major, seeing the strained expres- 
sion in the boys’ faces, realized that the ulti- 
matum of Bruce was a good one. 

Soon the three companions were snug in their 
sleeping-bags, dreaming of a land of grass and 
flowers far, far away. 

^ jj: ^ :j£ jK 

As soon as the submarine was safely on its 
course after the glacier incident, Dave, who had 
not slept for many hours, turned in for three 
winks.” His three winks had stretched on into 
hours, when he was wakened by a sudden jarring 


250 Lost in the Air 

that shook the craft from stem to stern. He was 
on his feet in the passage-way at once. 

What happened? he demanded of a sailor. 

Blamed if I know/’ said the other. He was 
white as a sheet. 

One thing Dave made sure of as he hurried 
toward the wheel-room ; they were drifting under 
the ice-floor of the ocean. Was the motor simply 
dead, or was the propeller gone ? He had but an 
instant to wait. There came the purr of the 
motor, then the sudden sound of racing machin- 
ery, which told plainer than words that the worst 
had happened. 

I think it was a walrus, sir,” said Rainey, 
who had been in charge of the wheel-room. '' I 
had just caught sight of a dark blotch gliding 
by and reached for the power when the racket 
started.” 

''What were you making?” asked Dave 
quietly. 

"Our usual ten knots.” 

The compartment they were in was filled with 
levers and adjusting wheels of all descriptions. 


Wrecked 


251 


The walls were lined with gauges and dials of 
many styles and sizes. A person on entering 
and taking the operator’s position, might fancy 
himself in the center of a circle of gears and 
driving wheels of many automobiles. 

Dave glanced at a gauge, then at another. He 
touched a wheel, and the hand on the second dial 
began to drop. They were now rising. As a 
usual thing, they traveled some forty feet below 
the surface. Icebergs were scarce in these 
waters, and the ordinary floe did not lie more 
than twenty feet below sea-level; still, it was 
safer lower down. But now — now their safety 
rested in gliding to a point beneath a water 
channel or hole, and, once they were under it, 
they must not fail to rise. 

“ No, not if it takes our conning-tower to do 
it!” Dave said savagely, as he finished 
explaining. 

They were still drifting through the water 
at a rather rapid rate, but little by little a speed 
gauge was falling. Soon they would be lying 
motionless beneath the Arctic floe, as helpless as 


252 


Lost % the Air 


a dead whale; and should no dark water-hole 
appear before that time came, they were doomed. 

Dave wiped the cold perspiration from his 
brow, as the hand on the dial dropped lower and 
lower. He touched a wheel again, and they 
rose another ten feet. Must be nearly bumping 
the ice by now; but at such a time as this one 
takes risks,’’ he muttered. 

What was that? Did he sense the dark 
shadow which always presaged open water? 
Surely, if walrus were about, there must be open ♦ 
water to give them air. And, yes — there it 
was; a hole in the floe! 

His trembling hand again touched the wheel. 
The hand on the dial had dropped to nearly 
nothing. If the water-hole was narrow; if they 
missed it! 

But no — up — up they shot, and in just 
another moment men were swarming from the 
conning-tower. 

Say ! ” exclaimed Dave, wiping his forehead. 

‘‘ Do you remember the obstacle-races they used 
to have at county fairs when you were a boy? ” 


Wrecked 


253 


The Jackie he spoke to grinned and nodded. 

Well, this is an obstacle-race, and the worst 
I ever saw. The worst of it is, there are two 
prizes — one’s the Pole and the other our own 
lives!” 

The open water they had reached at so fortu- 
nate a moment proved to be a channel between 
floes. They were in no immediate danger now, 
but to repair the damage done to the shaft and 
adjust a new propeller, it was necessary that 
they drag the submarine to the surface of a 
broad ice-cake. This task was not as difficult 
as one might imagine. With the aid of ice- 
anchors, iron pulleys and cables, they without 
much delay harnessed their engine and finished 
the job all ship shape. 

Look! ” said one of the seamen, pointing at 
the narrow stretch of water. She’s closin’ in! ” 

As the men looked they knew it to be true ; the 
channel was certainly narrower than when they 
first rose upon its surface. 

Securing a light line, the Doctor attached it to 
a plummet. Throwing the plummet across the 


254 


Lost in the Air 


space, he drew the line taut. He then marked 
the point where the ice-line crossed it. Then for 
five minutes he divided his attention between the 
line and his watch. As he rose he muttered; 

Two hours! Two hours! How long will it 
take to complete the repairs?’’ 

Four hours, at least,” Dave replied calmly. 

'^Then we’re defeated!” The Doctor began 
pacing the surface of the ice. ‘‘We’re stuck — 
beaten ! In two hours the channel will be closed, 
and there is not another patch of open water 
within five miles ! ” 

If Dave seemed unnaturally calm on receipt 
of such news, it was because he had in his “ bag 
of tricks ” one of which the Doctor was not 
aware. While in Nome he had made the 
acquaintance of a former British seaman, who 
had cruised Arctic waters in the late eighties, 
when Japan was disputing the rights of Great 
Britain and the United States to close the seal 
fisheries. This man had told him how the gun- 
boats had opened their way through the ice- 
floes. The idea had appealed to the young 


Wrecked 


255 


skipper. Consequently, on boarding the sub- 
marine, he had carried under his arm a package 
which he handled very carefully, and finally 
deposited in the very center of a great bale of 
fur clothing There it still remained. 

I suppose I might tell him,'' he said to him- 
self. ‘‘ But I guess I won't. ‘ Blessed is he 
that expecteth nothing.’ The trick might not 
work. I'll wait." He turned to where the 
mechanics were hard at work adjusting the new 
propeller. 

The repairing had gone on for something over 
two hours. The water-channel had completely 
closed. The Doctor was pacing the ice, lost in 
reflection. Like a flash, there came into Dave^s 
mind a new problem: would the current be 
content merely to close the channel, or would 
the ice soon begin to buckle and pile? With an 
uneasy mind, he urged the workmen to hasten, 
at the same time keeping an eye on the line of 
ice where the channel had so lately been. 


CHAPTER XVII 


‘‘SO THIS IS THE POLE’^ 

Many of the disasters which threaten us in 
this life pass us by. So it was with the impend- 
ing disaster of piling ice near the submarine. 
It did not pile. 

But there remained the problem of getting the 
submarine through that six-foot roof to the 
water beneath. How was it to be done? 

The Doctor still paced back and forth, his 
unrest written in the furrows of his brow. The 
jackies, cheerful as ever, worked at their shift 
of repairing the craft, or, when not at work, 
played at “ duck-on-rock ’’ with chunks of ice. 
Once a seal appeared in a water-hole. Had he 
not departed promptly, there would have been 
fried seal steak and roast seal heart for supper. 
A lumbering bear, that had evidently never seen 
a human being before, was not so fortunate. 

256 


So This Is the Pole 


257 


His pelt was added to the trophies of the expedi- 
tion, and his meat was ground into rather tough 
hamburger. 

Finally the mechanics announced that the 
submarine was again in perfect condition. Now 
was the time to try Dave’s last trick. Sending 
three men to stretch a hundred-fathom cable 
from the submarine, and to anchor its farther 
end to a great ice-pan, he dropped below to 
return at once with a package. Cautioning the 
men not to follow him, he walked away seventy- 
five yards, bent over the center of an ice-pan, 
seemingly to adjust certain things and put others 
in order. This done, he strung a black cord-like 
affair from his little pile of objects. He then 
measured off ten paces, and repeated these opera- 
tions. He then lighted a small gasoline torch, 
and held the tip of the second cord-like affair to 
it, then raced to the other for the same purpose. 
When this was done, he sped away toward his 
companions. His actions were quickly under- 
stood by the watching crew. The furrows on the 
Doctor’s brow had become mere lines. He was 


258 


Lost in the Air 


smiling hopefully. When Dave tripped over an 
ice boulder there was a cry of alarm, but he was 
up in a second, and found shelter with his men. 
Instinctively everyone ducked. Then came two 
roaring explosions in quick succession. Bits of 
splintered ice fell around them like hail. Before 
the ice fragments had ceased falling, everyone 
was climbing to the top of the ice-pile. What 
they saw caused a shout of joy. Where the 
ice-pan had been was a long stretch of black 
water that slowly widened until it was quite large 
enough to float the submarine and allow it to 
submerge. 

At once every man was at his task. The 
submarine moved slowly toward the water. 
There followed a dip, a great splash, a wild 
Hurrah ! and five minutes later they were 
once more on their way to the Pole. 

But, during this time, Dave’s active mind had 
been working on another problem, which might 
appear to have been settled, but had not been: 
the drift of the floe. If the ice did not pile 
when the floes came together, why was it? It 


So This Is the Pole 


259 


seemed to him there could be but one answer; 
other water-channels beyond the drift, under 
which they now traveled, were being closed by 
counter-currents. And if they closed, one after 
the other, more rapidly than the advance of the 
submarine, what was finally to become of the 
submarine crew? Would they not perish for 
lack of air? Dave did not share the cheerful 
mood of the Doctor and the crew ; it was his turn 
to look worried. 

Many hours later, his worst fears having been 
realized, he found himself again in the little room 
of many wheels and dials. Hour after hour they 
had shot beneath the varying surface of the 
floe, but not for one hopeful second had they 
caught the dark shadow of open water. As near 
as he could reckon, allowing for the ever-present 
currents, Dave believed they were nearing the 
Pole. But his brain was now throbbing as if a 
hundred trip-hammers were pounding upon it. 
Moments alone would tell the tale, for the 
oxygen in the air was exhausted. Already half 
the crew were unconscious; others were reeling 


260 


Lost in the Air 


like drunken men. The Doctor had been the 
first to succumb to the poison of polluted air. 

In this crisis Dave was not alone at the wheel. 
The Eskimo boy, Azazruk, was by his side. It 
was for just such a time as this that he had 
taught the bright young native something of the 
control of the mechanism. 

Each wheel of the operating devices was num- 
bered. He had taught the Eskimo a formula by 
pains-taking repetition. 

If ever the time comes when all are sick, no 
one can move but you,'' he had said many times, 
and if at that time you see black waters above, 
act quickly. One — seven — ten — three — five, 
remember that. One wheel at a time, quickly 
but surely ; one — seven — ten — three — five." 

One — seven — ten — three — five," the 
Eskimo boy had faithfully repeated after him, 
and rolled his eyes half in amusement and half 
in terror. 

'' Wheel one is for rise, seven for fans, ten to 
stop, three to lift the outer-hatch, five the inner- 
hatch," Dave had explained. But you only 


So This Is the Pole '' 261 

need to remember one — seven — ^en — three 
— • five/' 

Somehow, Dave had come to believe that this 
hardy young Alaskan, reared as he had been, 
under perfect conditions of food, air, light and 
exercise, could, if the test ever came, survive his 
civilized companions. 

Now, as he reeled and a great wave of dizzy 
sickness came over him, while he sank to the 
floor, Dave was glad he had taught Azazruk ; for 
the boy, with a strange, strained look of terror 
in his eye, stood still at the wheel. 

Dimly he fdt, rather than saw, a dark shadow 
pass over them. As in a dream he whispered 
the magic formula : 

'' One — seven — ten — three — five." 

Faintly he heard the grind of the wheels, felt 
the fan's breath on his cheek, then all was lost in 
unconsciousness. 

:{c * * * 

After ten solid hours of sleep the airplane 
party awoke to find their dogs whining and 
pawing at the entrance to their shelter. 


262 


Lost in the Air 


'' Guess they’re hungry,” said Barney, rubbing 
his eyes sleepily. ‘‘ Now if we could only locate 
a seal in some water-hole, it would help out our 
scanty supply of food.” 

Suppose we try,” said Bruce, slipping into 
his skin garments and looking to his rifle. 

‘‘ All right,” said Barney, and without delay 
they v/ere hurrying to a pressure ridge of ice 
from whose top they might hope to locate the 
nearest water-lead. This took them some dis- 
tance from their camp, but since the air was 
still and the moon flooded everything with light 
as of day, this did not worry them. 

They had reached the height, and were scan- 
ning the long lead of water something like a 
mile to the left of them, when Bruce gave a cry 
of surprise, and, pointing to the south end of 
the lead, exclaimed: 

‘‘ What’s that immense black thing rising from 
the water? Can’t be a whale up here, can it?” 

“ Impossible ! And, look ! There’s something 
rising from the center of it! It can’t be — yes 
— it is! It’s the submarine! ” 


** So This Is the Pole '' 


263 


Barney tumbled from the ice ridge and went^ 
sprinting away over the ice. His boyhood pal, 
Dave Tower, was on that submarine. 

With greater deliberation, Bruce attracted the 
attention of the Major. Together they hurried 
after their companion. 

The sight that met their eyes as they reached 
the edge of the water-channel filled them with 
consternation. The Eskimo boy and Barney 
were hurriedly carrying limp, motionless forms 
from the submarine into the outer air. 

Their worst fears were groundless, however, 
for after two hours of faithful work they 
restored the last one of the crew to conscious- 
ness. The last to recover was the Doctor. 

Which goes to prove,’’ smiled Dave, “ that 
when you most need a doctor, that’s the time 
he’s most likely to be sick.” 

There was a moment of joyful reunion 
between the two pals, Barney and Dave. As for 
the explorers, after the danger had passed, they 
seemed to take little notice of one another. 

The Doctor soon was able to rise unsteadily, 


264 


Lost in the Air 


and, supported by two of his men, he dragged 
himself back and forth across the ice. When, 
at last, he had full possession of his faculties, he 
suddenly darted into the submarine, reappearing 
a moment later with instruments. 

At sight of these, the Major’s attention once 
more turned to the task he had left. With backs 
turned, not twenty yards apart, the two great 
rivals began taking observations. Carefully they 
spread lines of mercury for an artificial horizon, 
and painstakingly adjusting their instruments, 
began to take readings. Then, turning to their 
nautical almanacs, they figured. For some time 
an awed silence fell on the little group. Pres- 
ently the two men rose, facing one another. 
Smiles played about their lips. For a second 
they stood thus, then starting toward each other, 
they extended hands for a clasp — the grip of 
a mutual admiration.. 

Gentlemen,” said the Major, the huskiness 
in his voice betraying his emotion, “ we are now 
within five miles of the Pole, and that is as close 
an observation as any man can hope to make.” 


So This Is the Pole '' 265 

'' Might as well call it the Pole/’ smiled the 
Doctor. ‘‘ I make it three miles.’’ 

For a time silence again reigned, then it was 
Dave who spoke. 

‘‘ So this is the Pole! ” he exclaimed. Well, 
then, it’s time for a bit of jazz. Bring on your 
instruments of torture.” 

Jazz always was imperfect music, and here, 
with untutored musicians and rude instruments, 
it was imperfection itself; but it is doubtful if 
any music ever soothed unstrung nerves as did 
this bit of jazz that rent the midnight silence at 
the top of the world. 

The applause which followed awakened echoes 
among the ice-piles, and sent a lone doveky away 
into the shadows. 

Well,” said the Doctor, as the echoes of the 
last burst of jazz died away, Major, I suppose 
we are to have the pleasure of your company 
on our return journey. Am I right? ” 

'' I am afraid so,” the Major smiled a bit 
wanly. Guess our plane is at last beyond 
repair.” 

/ 


Lost in the Air 


T/Fw.) 

But I say/’ ejaculated Barney, you can 
stow the remains of our plane somewhere below, 
can’t you ? ” 

Why — er — ^yes,” smiled the Doctor. 
'' We’ve considerable space now, since using the 
fuel and food. But why freight the junk? 
What’s the grand idea?” 

'' I think we can get a bunch of sled-timber 
and canvas from the whalers at Point Barrow 
and rig her up again.” 

‘'Why? You’ll be welcome to come with us 
all the way.” 

“ Bruce here, and I,” began Barney, and 
Bruce grinned at the mention of his name, “ have 
a very special mission that takes us cross-country 
rather than by water. Much as we should like 
to accept your kind invitation, our mission makes 
the other route imperative, if it is at all possible 
to take it.” 

He told them the story of La Vaune, of Tim- 
mie and the ancient pay-roll. 

“ That being the case,” agreed the Doctor, 
I shall be glad to assist you by freighting your 


So This Is the Pole 


267 


plane to Point Barrow, and I now release my 
entire crew to help you in demounting it and 
bringing it to the submarine.” > 

As the gobs joined the two young aviators in 
a wild race across the ice-floes, with Jarvis 
straining after them, the Major turned a smil- 
ing face toward the Doctor, as he remarked : 

As fine a bunch as I ever saw.” 

'' Ydu're right,” said the Doctor, and deserv- 
ing of a rich reward.” 

“ Speaking of rewards,” said the Major 
quickly, how about that ten thousand which 
comes to some of us? I had promised it to my 
boys, had I won.” 

And I the same,” smiled the Doctor. 

The puzzle is, who’s won ! ” 

Suppose we split, fifty-fifty, and, following 
our original plan, each give his share to his 
boys.” 

Splendid! Just the right thing! ” exclaimed 
the Major. 

It’s a go I ” The Doctor grasped the Major’s 
hand. 


268 


Lost in the Air 


And this was the glad news that awaited the 
men as they returned, some dragging poles, some 
carrying rolls of canvas, while others urged, 
pushed and pulled at the dog-team drawing a 
sled on which was loaded the Liberty motor. To 
the aviators was to go five thousand dollars; to 
the jackies, five thousand. 

Nothing of the kind!’’ exclaimed Bruce 
indignantly. 

“ I should say nix! ” echoed Barney. 

Why, what could be fairer ? ” said the Doc- 
tor, a puzzled look on his face. 

“ Why,” Barney declared, feeling sure he 
was also speaking for his partner ; we each get 
two thousand five hundred, and your men who 
have worked as hard and risked as much, each 
get a fraction of that sum. I say, nothing doing. 
Share and share alike, man for man, them’s my 
sentiments. Get out your pencil and see how 
many times ten goes in ten thousand. A thousand 
times? A thousand apiece, that’s something 
like! Enough to have a whale of a good time 
on, or buy a farm. Pay your money and take 


So This Is the Pole '' 269 

your choice. Step up, gents, and try your luck! 

When the gobs realized that this wild 
harangue meant that the aviators wished to 
split the whole reward with them, they were at 
first urgent in protest, and, when this availed 
them nothing, they went wild with cheers for the 
true sports of the aviation department. 

Of course this all called for another burst of 
jazz, after which came the work of packing away 
the parts of the airplane, in which task the gobs 
showed an enthusiasm which told better than 
shouts what they thought Of the young aviators. 

After the stars and stripes had been planted 
on a high ice-pinnacle, a rather solemn supper 
was eaten in the lee of a giant ice-cake. Then, 
with the jazz band playing '' Star Spangled Ban- 
ner,'’ the submarine sank and the homeward 
journey was begun. 

A fortunate voyage brought them to Point 
Barrow in sixty-eight hours. There the aviators 
found the supplies they needed, and began at 
once preparing for the overland trip. The Doc- 
tor and the Major decided to proceed down the 


270 


Lost in the Air 


coast by dog-team to Cape Prince of Wales, 
where they would catch the first boat in the 
Spring. The submarine crew were put “ on 
their own ’’ and instructed to follow down the 
coast in a safe and leisurely fashion, to report 
their arrival at the naval station in Seattle. 

Bruce and Barney succeeded in rigging out the 
plane in a very satisfactory manner, and one day 
in early Spring they again alighted in Timmie’s 
stubble, much to the joy of the entire family. 
And a few days later they made a landing in 
the old athletic field of Brandon college, where a 
very happy girl, who had been watching the 
plane with a wistful eye, came rushing out to 
meet them. 

When Bruce pressed into her hand a package, 
and told her of its contents, tears came to her 
eyes — tears of joy that her struggles were over, 
but also tears of thankfulness for the safe return 
of those who had done so much for her. 

The submarine crew arrived in Seattle in due 
time. There, before they separated for a long 
leave, which was sure to be followed by honor- 


So This Is the Pole 


271 


able discharge, five of them agreed to pool their 
share of the prize money to charter a craft, pref- 
erably a submarine, and go in search of the 
treasure city of Siberia. There ’was talk, too, 
of an attempt to induce Bruce and Barney to 
join them on the expedition, as an airplane, 
which could be stowed in the submarine when 
not in use, would be of inestimable service to 
them. 

Bruce and Barney in due time collected the 
reward offered for the destruction of the outlaw 
wireless station. 

As for the Major and the Doctor, there is still 
much speculation in many quarters as to their 
identity. And, as for myself, I am not able to 
add any information on the subject. 


The solving of the mystery of the City 
of Gold was, at last, left to David Tower 
and Jarvis. The story of this adventure 
will be told in the next volume of the 
Snell Mystery Stories for Boys series 
which will be entitled Panther-Eye.” 












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